That's an excellent tip Blarney. I started out with the Wichita style but then realized I would like the coop to be bigger and taller so I could get inside when I needed to. I also wanted a covered run section to be able to put up panels to prevent snow accumulation, rain, and my coop placement is going to be on the edge of a small woodline up hill from a pond so I wanted overhead protection from any falling branches, birds of prey, etc.
I could easily design an additional run space as well to make that section bigger.
Is a 5x4 coop ok for 6-8 birds at night? Or does that seem too small?
EDIT: Since the area where I am putting the coop stays kind of wet, I plan to build the coop up off the ground about a foot or so and will likely add gutters to direct the rain water off the roof and drains around the base to try to keep the run from staying wet. Someone recommended that, and it seems like a smart idea, although I don't really understand the whys other than I wouldn't want to stand on wet ground either!
I know Bumble(bee!!) foot is a problem with a wet run. I hope more people respond with more info. I am going to try and dry out the run today, but I am not sure just how much I need to worry about it.
It is recommended to have 4 sq feet of space per bird in the coop. That coop is okay for five birds.
