Need some advice

[True Patriot]

Glad to see you. Welcome to the flock. Theres lots of information and help here. Stop by the new member thread and introduce yourself when you get a chance, there's also state threads that you can use to connect with people local to you that may be able to answer specific details about your area. If you put your general location in your profile it will help with answers, knowing your climate and geography. Insulation isn't necessary. They have their own built in. Dry is more important. The soffit/eave vent works well. Windows for light are good, make sure you have a way of blocking the wind from blowing through. Glass or plastic. I have plastic panels that screw over my window openings, the eave vents stay open.
Size, 4 x8 is the minimum I would recommend for any chicken. Recommend is 24 sq ft for 6 birds. More space is far better than less. It has to be big enough for you to comfortably access for cleaning and maintenance. Mine is 4x8x 4 high, (8 standard size chickens) to build it again I would double that. Especially if there was a chance my flock would have to be confined in incliment weather.
For the roost, as long as you can make it and still fit in the coop. They like to bunch up usually, but space available reduces picking and arguments. Make sure the roost is higher than the nest boxes. If not they may tend to sleep in the nest soiling your eggs. Two nest boxes should be fine, they will most likely all use the same one. If you build the nest boxes inside, a roof at an angle steep enough to prevent landing on will also help keep the nests clean. There's lots more information in the coop and run section. Best of luck

 

[Killer Tomato]

Glad to see you. Welcome to the flock. Theres lots of information and help here. Stop by the new member thread and introduce yourself when you get a chance, there's also state threads that you can use to connect with people local to you that may be able to answer specific details about your area. If you put your general location in your profile it will help with answers, knowing your climate and geography. Insulation isn't necessary. They have their own built in. Dry is more important. The soffit/eave vent works well. Windows for light are good, make sure you have a way of blocking the wind from blowing through. Glass or plastic. I have plastic panels that screw over my window openings, the eave vents stay open.
Size, 4 x8 is the minimum I would recommend for any chicken. Recommend is 24 sq ft for 6 birds. More space is far better than less. It has to be big enough for you to comfortably access for cleaning and maintenance. Mine is 4x8x 4 high, (8 standard size chickens) to build it again I would double that. Especially if there was a chance my flock would have to be confined in incliment weather.
For the roost, as long as you can make it and still fit in the coop. They like to bunch up usually, but space available reduces picking and arguments. Make sure the roost is higher than the nest boxes. If not they may tend to sleep in the nest soiling your eggs. Two nest boxes should be fine, they will most likely all use the same one. If you build the nest boxes inside, a roof at an angle steep enough to prevent landing on will also help keep the nests clean. There's lots more information in the coop and run section. Best of luck

Yup, what True Patriot said.
And be prepared to make changes as you go along:

Our first roosts were WAY too high off the ground. Yeah, they could fly *up* to them, but those big Barred Rocks and Jersey Giants flying down, it was a hard landing for the big gals. The hens began limping from the landings. We lowered the roosts, and built them a ladder. Problem solved.

 

[Tricia6227]

As others have said, larger is better, if only for Chicken Math!

I have sand (washed construction grade) in my coop, over the concrete floor and I do love it. We're in Oregon, and it stays very clean (I scoop poops every morning) and dries fast when rain blows in.

Kudos to you for planning and building your coop *long* before your chicks have arrived!

Excellent! Thank you!❤

 

[Tricia6227]

H

Welcome to BYC!
Think you need to do some more thinking and planning before building.

Go bigger if at all possible, 4x4 will be tight for 6 birds in winter...and a poop board won't fit. Sketch your plans out on graph paper for proper scale.

Good read on Space:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-much-room-do-chickens-need

Insulation is not needed, and can harbor rodents and other pests.
Heat lamps are not needed either.

Large(12") roof overhangs with open soffits for weather proof ventilation all year round but especially in winter. Lots of top hinged windows for summer ventilation and winter light. Good discussion on .....
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1048597/ventilated-but-free-of-drafts

Tips on the height of stuff:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/coop-stack-up-how-high-stuff-works-well.73427/

What do you mean by 'brooder box'? Nests for laying eggs?
1 nest per 3-5 birds is adequate.

Hey my friend!! Thank you so very much! I did what you suggested. I drew it to scale. I think its perfect! I decided to make it 4' × 5' × 6'. Everything fits now. Its 4' wide and 5' deep and 6' tall. I also decided to not use insulation. Very grateful for your input and expertise.

 

[Tricia6227]

H

Hey my friend!! Thank you so very much! I did what you suggested. I drew it to scale. I think its perfect! I decided to make it 4' × 5' × 6'. Everything fits now. Its 4' wide and 5' deep and 6' tall. I also decided to not use insulation. Very grateful for your input and expertise.

Oops sorry 7' tall at very peak.

 

[GrannyHeeney]

Welcome to BYC! I had to give a special shout out to you because I'm originally from Bolingbrook. Heehee! ;D

 

[Tricia6227]

Hello!☺❤