Converting a 12x12 Lean-Lo to Chicken Coop

[RenaldoMoon]

Hello all. First thread here.
My family moved to more rural SE Michigan last year and we've got about 15 hens ready to start laying soon, and another 15 chicks so it's time to build the coop. Currently they're in the chicken tractor we used for meat birds in the spring overnight and free ranging our pasture during the day. We plan to keep them free ranging and won't be building a run.

I'm converting a 12x12 lean-to attached to my barn. Attached are a few pictures.
I'll figure out feed and water setup, but I'm curious what you all would recommend for roosting and nesting in this space. How many next boxes? (I'm thinking two sets of 4) How many lineal feet of roost?

The most ideal layout would be having all of the roosting on one end (probably left end, looking in from outside) and the nests on the opposite wall.

It's a little bit tight to fit three parallel roosts there with the two door ways, thought I could build supports out and partially block the doors. A three step ladder would fit better, but I hear one roost height is ideal if you can fit it. How much space do I need between bars, and how far from the wall?

Anyway, I'm open to other thoughts but will be taking action in the next few days or week.
How would you layout this space for around 30 free ranging hens?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I'd probably put the nest boxes along one wall and roosters along the other. I would build a ladder roost out of 2x4 and put the 4 up. Which way does that doorway face? What are your plans for winter?

 

[RenaldoMoon]

Doorway faces West, roughly.
I will put doors up with hardware cloth, then cover them for the winter. I have been told by friends around here that I don't need to worry about insulating the building.

You don't think ladder roosts present problems with pecking order/aggression/crowding?

 

[rosemarythyme]

8 nests should be fine.

Figure 1 linear ft per bird so three 10' roosts would meet your needs provided you don't expand past 30. Spacing-wise, I'd aim for a minimum of 12" from the wall for the nearest roost and then 14-16" horizontal between roosts (so if laddered, don't measure down the hypotenuse).

I do have ladder roosts and yes birds will prefer the top, but anyone who doesn't fit simply gets squeezed down. Still it's better to give them the option of enough roost space.