Coop vs run size?

[Pork Pie]

http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-much-room-do-chickens-need

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Mentioned was to create roof and wind barrier area for winters. This is what I do. The coop area suddenly quadruples in winter with the added three side wind break and sheltered run area provided. On nice days in winter the birds have shoveled paths to shrubs they travel, brutal days they have the sheltered area. It's their choice with the coop always being where they roost at night and what is closed shut sundown to sunrise.

I don't use 4 sqft per bird and certainly wouldn't call it a rule of thumb. Often quoted figure but somewhat meaningless standing alone. Far too many variables and management styles. It's the time of year where we've got to downsize for winter but if I told you how large a coop the current 24 bird population is using there'd be admonishment and uninformed opinions. Let's just say it's well below some random number of 4 sqft. Run size is far more important to my management style, to which the birds have 250 sqft each plus. Healthy and happy bird is the goal and there is more than one path to this destination.