The only question I don't see a good answer to so far is when to get your chicks -- if you can get them in March, they should start laying in the late summer/early fall, and lay pretty well through the winter. If you get them earlier, they may start laying in the summer, moult in the fall, and NOT lay during the winter (though having a light in the coop will help). If you get them later, they may not start laying until the following spring. Now, these are maybe's, but fairly accurate, with some variation depending on how quickly your breed matures.
If you use a fair amount of eggs, you may want to build your coop for a dozen or more hens, even if you are going to start with only six -- the recommended number of laying hens per person, to have a steady supply of eggs, is two hens per person. Starting with less is fine, but you may decide you want to add more later, and it will be a lot easier if your coop is built large enough from the start.
If you use a fair amount of eggs, you may want to build your coop for a dozen or more hens, even if you are going to start with only six -- the recommended number of laying hens per person, to have a steady supply of eggs, is two hens per person. Starting with less is fine, but you may decide you want to add more later, and it will be a lot easier if your coop is built large enough from the start.