I am new to chickens, and have been raising 4 pullet chicks since the end of February. They are so sweet and fun! I've built a coop for them (the run is still in progress, but will be attached to the side opposite the nest box, and will be built to match the coop - the run will be done in a week or two). I adapted a 4 x 4 playhouse kit to my needs. I built an external nest box, and installed the roofing. I also insulated with styrofoam panels, and put 1/8 inch paneling over the styrofoam to keep the hens from trying to eat it. I've been leaving the upper windows open (with hardware cloth, of course) for ventilation up high; there is also a small gap at the eaves which helps with ventilation. Two of the large windows that are lower have plexiglass over the hardware cloth, held in with mirror clips so I can slide the plexiglass out to allow for additional cross-ventilation on hot days. The girls have been in their new home for a day now, and they're loving it! Let me know what you think (I've included a few extra pics of my girls, too!):
