Ronp, I should have asked....is your run covered? I'm debating covering mine for the snow in winter....there are a lot of days the girls could get out as far as temps but the snow sure does stick around here for a while.
My run could easily withstand a 3 foot snow load.
That said, I cover with a temporary tarp only about 20% of the run.
My birds do not like to step on snow...
My run is as secure as my coop. Girls have access to the run 24/7.
The covered part allows immediate access to the run during inclimate weather, rain or snow.
I store in closed garbage containers soiled deep bedding removed from the coop in late fall.
I place the containers in strategic locations around the run.
After a snowfall, I dump shovel fulls scattered randomly in the run.
The girls spread the soiled litter (Pine Shavings and Poop) and "walk" on top of the snow as if it didn't exist.
This seems to work well for them, I think they appreciate not being "cooped up".
Early Spring, I dump the remaining soiled litter from the containers.
The soiled litter adds to the deep litter run material, composting outdoors nicely and complimenting everything else...
Hope this helps.
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