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I am in the process of building my coop now. It is 4x6'. It is based on the purina plans. Don't know if you need three nest boxes, one or two should do. What is your plan for a roosting bar? I am using a poop tray under the roosting bar to catch most of the poop, you may want to consider that. I am concerned about ventilation in my unit as well. I think that I prepared well for our cold winters, I insulated the floor and walls and will do something with the roof. Also, where are you planning to put food and water?
I like the insulation idea - I'd imagine at least 1" foam sheets would do wonders. It gets cold here but not much lower than 20 degrees F.
Food: I am planning on building an auto feeder which I will bolt onto the side - with a slot in the wall for access. It'll be airtight.
Water: That's trickier. I was considering putting a little auto waterer outside the door, but it would freeze in the winter a lot (like our cat bowl does.) So, I think it should be inside where the air would never get below freezing. I'm hoping to make a little valve-operated deal.
Roost - I was going to use a flat 2x4 like others describe, but hadn't thought of a poop catcher. I'd imagine a poop catcher would have to be removable for cleaning - like some sort of tray? Why not just let it all hit the sand or shavings on the floor?
I also have this idea for spare heat. My house has a radon pump - which is just a blower that takes air from the basement floor and blows it slowly and steadily out a 4" pipe. It comes out under my back deck. If I ran that pipe into the coop it would bring in continuous low-level heat...
