Appropriate size for a "tunnel" to the run?

[paneubert]

For some visual context, perimeter will be the existing fence on south and east sides, the current quail aviary (under the deck, being turned into a coop) and a little of the staircase on the north side, and a new fence/wire/wall with entrance door on the grassy west side that leads down the fence line towards the distant grass. Basically boxing in that tree.

 

[Alaskan]

that will be great!

 

[aart]

How are you diverting water from coming thru the deck?
Will the new run impede any frequent egress thru the yard?

 

[paneubert]

How are you diverting water from coming thru the deck?
Will the new run impede any frequent egress thru the yard?

I have those wavy plastic roofing panels screwed to the deck joists at an angle so the water flows towards the stairs, then a panel on that far end that directs it all to the front corner of the aviary. It all still is within the wire, which sucks. But it at least keeps it in one corner. If I convert this to a coop, I think I will find a way to collect the water in the front corner into some sort of reservoir like a short section of actual gutter up high so I can then hook it to a drain pipe and send it out of the coop, or at least to a tiny corner of the coop floor. But even as it is, there is only about a 2 square foot area in the front corner that gets wet. And most of that is because I have water splashing and running down that corner wire from a height of about 7 feet up. Haha. The quail don't mind it at all.

Run will have the existing backyard fence gate like it is currently, and then I will have to build another gate on the future run wall. Adding a new gate actually would serve multiple purposes since I will need to install at least one intermediate support post in the new run fence line. I am thinking of making my new gate about halfway down, so it can serve as that "mid-span" break in the fenceline and make each run of wire on each side of it shorter and less wobbly if you know what I mean. At least that is my thought process right now!

Putting the run under the trees does mean if you want to get to the main backyard from that side of the house from the front yard, you do need to go thru the run, but there are other options as well like going down the second story deck staircase from our kitchen, or out the back sliding door from our lower level rec room. Or around the opposite side of the house thru the gate on the other side of the house. So if you are just walking, lots of options. If you have a wheelbarrow or something dirty, options would be thu the run or around the other side of the house.