Hello! I am a chicken newbie. I've read a lot, but have a Wisconsin question (actually about a thousand questions, but one specifically related to WI). I have ordered a large, fixed, coop. We live in the country, with lots of choices for placement. I have read that keeping the coop cool in the summer is more important than keeping them warm in the winter. As I hate the cold, my inclination is to put the coop close to the house, protected from the wind, on the south side where it would receive much sun, but very little shade. When there is not snow on the ground, I expect to move a large pen from place to place in the yard to let them be out but protected. The coop will have electric, so I can use a heat source if desired. I could have the coop farther away from the house and in shade if that is really what is best for the chickens even though it would be less convenient for me. I am just wondering since our winters are SO cold, and our summers are mostly mild (and since in summer I can move their portable pen into the shade) should the permanently placed coop location be driven by our winter weather or summer? We are getting six silkies, and with my four kids, they will be an important part of our family, so we want to do what is best for them. I know I'm not a chicken, but it seems like the cold will be so much harder to deal with!
