Chicken wire for run cover.. to support or not to support?

[Folly's place]

As aart said, plan for any maximum snow load! Chicken wire will work pretty well to keep out hawks, but nothing else. You will need supports or the whole thing will sag and bag in no time, and hold ice really well too. I can't imagine myself crawling around in a 4' high structure!!! How about at least a center line of at least 7' or 8' poles? Your tarp will fail unless very well supported also. Mary

 

[Wavechickens]

We considered chicken wire for a run we have but it's a good 150sq ft and we can get a lot of snow, Vermont so some years a lot others a little. Even with the supports down it it's a problem. A wooden frame and heavy duty metal is better. Also yes predators can rip right through chicken wire. We had a stray dog years ago from the shelter tear through ours, thankfully all the hens were in for the night.