My run is 8 x 9 feet and built on the back side of the barn with the roof starting at 12 feet and slanting down to 8 feet at its shortest side. Full door gives access. Part of the back wall is a 6' wide, 8' tall wall unit.... cupboard has 2 doors which slide (I have them overlapping in the middle). Shelves have been removed and a 6 foot roost goes up to about 6 feet off the ground. My 7 pullets roost there each evening and spend the night. When they hear me approaching in the morning, they all congregate by the door to get out into the yard. In the somewhat open cupboard area I have two very long sweater boxes containing DE, sand, dirt, wood ash etc for dust bathing in the winter. Come October I will surround the entire run (including alll the hardware wire) with clear plastic as we get a lot of snow in the winter here in Vermont. This will prevent snow from accumulating in the run and give the birds access to the run all winter...also keep any drafts out. In the run is a window where the chickies pass through to get to their coop and nesting boxes. During the cold winter months, all will spend the night inside the coop and I'll open the window to the run so they can go out if they choose. The coop itself is narrow 4 x 6 with external nesting boxes, but there are four roosts which go quite high. At present, they are enjoying the summer weather, bugs, etc. in the yard...plenty of room to run and explore. The run door is always open and they come and go as they please. They are all usually on their roost by 7-7:30 pm, ready for bed. They have quite a comfortable routine for now....but they may not be as happy once the colder weather arrives and they won't be able to go out into the yard.
