First Winter

[barn206]

I have 3.....live in Pennsylvania.

Sherry if a fox/fisher can get on your run( during the day) and your chickens can't get out and away from the predator, it will be a bad situation. You are better off making a smaller secure run than a large one. If your run is not secure, the chickens are better off free ranging.. at least they can try and get away/ hide. You can always let them out when you are home

 

[Sherry W.]

I am hoping by adding more security they will be ok. I leave them out after work to roam the yard (.5 acre with 6 ft privacy fence around) with my German Shepherd all evening until they go in their 4x4 coop to roost for the night and then I lock them up. I would let them roam all day but I worry about a hawk snagging one while I am at work. I guess next will be burying electric fence around coop so a predator can’t dig its way in.

 

[barn206]

I think that it's fine in the afternoon with both you and the gsd. Don't forget in pa the summers aren't brutal like the south. Your vents should be adequate at night
Just my opinion.

 

[aart]

I have 3.....live in Pennsylvania.

Might want to wrap the run in some plastic (all but 4" at top for ventilation), after adding some heavier wire, to keep snow and wind out of there.

I guess next will be burying electric fence around coop so a predator can’t dig its way in.

Well, you can't bury electric fence....and the snow would make it hard to put close to the ground....but aprons would really help against diggers:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1110498/wire-around-coop#post_17093528

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208