1.) Do nesting boxes count towards the square footage in a coop? I was thinking about doing a 4×6 coop with a 4×1 nesting box lineup. I wasn' sure if this coop could hold just the 6 hens or if the nesting boxes would give me the needed space for the rooster as well as I'm not sure if I'm getting one or not.
The nesting boxes take away from the square footage. For example, a 24 Sq ft coop with 4 Sq ft of nesting box is actually a 20 Sq ft coop. Feeders and Waterer also take away space which is why I has PVC pipe ones that hang (highly recommend High End Hen/Rugged Ranch dispenser, worked so nicely for me, a bit pricey though) Try to over estimate in Sq footage if you can, keeps fights down and leaves room for "impulse buys"(I bought two more chicks when I went back to the feed store for some supply)
2.) How high off the ground should my coop be? I've seen anywhere between 2'-3' but I wasn't sure what was recommended most.
Depends. You can just have it on the ground if you want to do deep litter or such. It might get a bit colder though because of the whole heat rises thing or you might need to take some precautions for predators that can dig. If you want it off the ground to have a run under it than either should be fine. I did 2 and a half feet because the tallest rooster was 26 in, and hens are generally smaller giving them plenty room, but I doubt they'll complain if given three. Just keep cleaning in mind.
3.) So my chickens won't be able to free range unless I am outside with them as I don't trust my neighbours so I was curious I'd the 10 square foot per chicken was still the minimum for the run.
Yeah it is, I've heard some people say 15-20, maybe overestimate a bit. Just in case.
4.) To help maximize my space I was thinking of planting an herb garden atop of my chicken run, so I was curious what height my run should be and if I should just avoid this all together.
No it's a great idea! Only thing I'd be worried about is the chickens eating the herbs before (it's fine for them to eat most herbs, I'm just assuming you'd prefer to eat them!) Maybe enclose the herb garden with chicken wire to keep them out. And while on the topic of chicken wire, use hardware cloth for everything else on the coop and run, it is much more predator proof.
5.) So starting my flock I was thinking of getting Barred Rocks, Buff Orpingtons, and/or Black Austrolorps but I wasn't sure if these were beginner friendly birds. I see a lot of Sussex in my local farm supply stores so I wasn't sure if those would work better for me.
I can't say I really believe in beginner birds, but most people would qualify those as such. I'd recommend choosing birds on climate instead, where do you live I can recommend some! In all honestly, don't sell yourself short, and get some intereating birds! (I'll go more in depth and recommend some in my next post with your location in mind)
6.) How often should I add new chicks to my flock to maintain egg production? I was thinking about getting chicks every three years or so and build a second smaller coop attached to the same run
Egg production usually drops off slowy after the second year, but three years is fine as well. As for the second coop, I've heard it can cause integration problems and bullying in the chickens, I would recommend making your coop larger in the first place or expanding the one coop.
7.) In relations to the coops door should the nesting boxes be on a side wall instead of across?
I don't know on this one, hoping for advice myself
