Coop window placement

[Bluestem]

Hi everyone! My dad and I have been working on a coop for my six girls, and while he has an extensive background in construction (the man could sneeze out a house), neither of us have tried making a coop before. Our dimensions are 6x4. The highest point is 4.5ft sloping down to 3.5ft on the shorter end where the nest boxes are. For the nest boxes we were going to use 10"x10" Akro Bins for ease of cleaning. The ones that are in there right now are just stand-ins and not the right size. Roost bars will be on the high end of the coop. The roof will be corrugated metal. We were going to put in one or two Plexiglas windows (not functional--just to let in some light), but were trying to figure out where to put them and the size they should be. He thought about putting one in on the north and south facing sides (the tall and short ends respectively). The coop is going to be in an extremely sheltered area, and there will be a run beneath it. Here's a few pics. If any experienced coop builders see something that raises the alarm, or has any tips, please let us know. Thanks!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

If he can sneeze out a house, a cursory perusal of the coops in the following link should give him plenty of ideas.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/category/chicken-coops.12/

Roosts need to be wide if you live in a cold climate so they can cover their toes at night.
Nests, roosts and doors should be arranged so the hens don't have to walk through feces during the day to go from outside to lay eggs. (straight shot from the chicken door to the nests without walking under roosts).
Huge ventilation will limit your chickens having respiratory issues. Huge openings covered with 1/4" hardware cloth.

 

[imnukensc]

Looks like it'll be a nice coop, but you have two too many nest boxes. I'd put a divider in there and use half of it for storage.

 

[aart]

the man could sneeze out a house

Well, y'all probably should have looked into this before building but.....<shrugs>

If windows are just lights doesn't matter where they go.
Any plans for ventilation?

Hope the roof is not on yet.
Make large roof overhangs, all the way around, leave soffits open but covered with 1/2" hardware cloth against predators.

 

[Bluestem]

If windows are just lights doesn't matter where they go.
Any plans for ventilation?

Sweet, that's good to hear. I wasn't sure if having the window above the nest boxes would bother them--I'd read somewhere that they like it to be dark and private. As far as ventilation, we were going to put in several holes covered with hardware cloth on the north and south side that could be closed when the weather is bad. I'll let him know about the overhang. Thanks!

 

[aart]

As far as ventilation, we were going to put in several holes covered with hardware cloth on the north and south side that could be closed when the weather is bad.

They need 24/7 vents....a 'couple holes' is probably not enough.
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1048597/ventilated-but-free-of-drafts

 

[Bluestem]

I will let him know. We'll get it ventilated!