Planning large coop interior layout and maintenence, show me your coops!

[MGG]

So my new shed is ordered and should be here June 12th! It is 8x12'. I need ideas though. I've been trying to think about it a lot, but I just don't know what will work best. I want to just do it properly right off the bat. I really want to do flat 2x4s as roosts with poop boards underneath. But I don't know which section to put the roosts in, how high they should be, how many 2x4s, and how to maximize coop space and not take up usable space with the roosts. Is sweet pdz the best thing for on the poop boards? How wide should they be?

Also, nest boxes. Which area would work the best for those, and how many? What are some easy options for nest boxes? It easier to just build them and if so what's the best design?

Feeders and waterers. What location inside is the best for those, and what kinds does everyone recommend? I don't like the nipples or cups much. I usually just use a bucket but if there's a good waterer I'm not opposed. In the winter I use a 3 gallon heated water bucket. Power will be from an extension cord. I'd like to have a light inside. Possibly a heat lamp or heater in the winter if needed.

Background info :
I have 34 hens and 3 roosters. 20 of those birds are still young chicks, 9 weeks old. I know this shed will be a bit tight, but they will be able to free range almost every day except a portion of winter. They'll have a run, but it won't be huge. Not sure exact size yet, but maybe 12x12 or so. Planning on covering it with plastic in the winter so it's still usable. We live in NE SD so winters are frigid. We spend much of winter in the single digits, with a good portion in December and January never getting above 0. We always get a few cold snaps lasting a couple weeks at a time below - 20. We almost always get below - 30 actual temp a few times. I have ducks freeze to death outside every winter, and we watched a big doe die outside of our house one year during a blizzard. It is really brutal. The nice thing is the cold is so bad it keeps the birds pretty subdued and happy to stay inside of whatever coop or shelters they have. I have never had fighting or picking happen from confinement during our winters. I'm hoping to insulate the shed, and possibly will heat it if necessary to keep eggs and water from freezing and make chores a bit more comfortable, but we'll see. Ventilation is my other question. Our winters are extremely cold as I stated, but also very very dry. Because of this frostbite is rare. The shed will have two windows on it, one on the north side and the other on the east side. They're mainly to let in daylight, but they do also open and probably will be most of the time. I don't know what kind of vents it has yet, but we can make them larger if need be. Because of our winters though, I really don't want a crazy amount of ventilation. It'll already be plenty dry in there and the more openings the more and warm air will be escaping.

Also, do you guys store feed in your coops? I don't want to build an enclosed section and take up valuable space. But could a metal can or something just sit in a corner? I know it'll get covered in poop and dust, but is that a big deal? I have just had the metal feed storage can outside next to my old coop until now. I'll likely be doing vinyl flooring. The bedding will be wood chips since I can get them for free. Any other ideas or thoughts are very much appreciated, and please share pictures of your coops!
Thanks for reading.

Few photos

Some of the new babies

 

[ChaosMom]

I was thinking, “8x12; that’s HUGE; I’m so jealous,” and then I saw 37 birds.

8x12 -> room for 24 birds at 4 sq.ft. each. That’s not “a bit tight;” that’s WAY too small - 2/3 the recommended size - when you yourself admit that you have long tough winters when they will all be stuck inside. Yes, with larger coops you get a bit more wiggle room, but not THAT much.

And a 12x12 run; that’s 14 (ok, 14.4) birds’ worth of room.

If you’re going to do this, you need to be honest with yourself that you’re putting too many birds in too small of a space, and be prepared for the probable behavioral consequences. If you accept this and go into it clear-eyed, at least you’ll be prepared.

I’m not trying to be scold-y, and I see that you’ve been an active member here for years, but wow, I feel bad for your birds.

Would you consider at all reducing the size of your flock?

 

[MGG]

I was thinking, “8x12; that’s HUGE; I’m so jealous,” and then I saw 37 birds.

8x12 -> room for 24 birds at 4 sq.ft. each. That’s not “a bit tight;” that’s WAY too small - 2/3 the recommended size - when you yourself admit that you have long tough winters when they will all be stuck inside. Yes, with larger coops you get a bit more wiggle room, but not THAT much.

And a 12x12 run; that’s 14 (ok, 14.4) birds’ worth of room.

If you’re going to do this, you need to be honest with yourself that you’re putting too many birds in too small of a space, and be prepared for the probable behavioral consequences. If you accept this and go into it clear-eyed, at least you’ll be prepared.

I’m not trying to be scold-y, and I see that you’ve been an active member here for years, but wow, I feel bad for your birds.

Would you consider at all reducing the size of your flock?

No, I know. Around 8-10 of the birds are smaller, either brahma bantams or half brahma bantams, and I know those take up less space. I have considered reducing and likely will by half a dozen or so, I'm just growing them all out before I make any decisions. I am prepared and will rehome any problem birds. All of them have been very docile with no aggression thus far though. I'm pretty particular on breeds and usually stick to more docile breeds that handle winters and confinement well. All of the nice weather they spend all day every day free ranging. They been broken up into three flocks in separate small coops up until this point. I appreciate your warning though and I do completely understand.