Need advice about covering run

[Kate in CT]

We've just about completed our coop and run, but we're still working out the best ways to predator proof. The run is 12' x 12' made of chain link kennel panels. We want to put a roof on it and are considering hardware cloth. We're wondering what other people have done. Do you think we need to build a wooden frame to go over the run? Will we need to support hardware cloth across 12 feet? What's the best/easiest/strongest way to attach the cover to the chain link? Thanks for any and all advice!

 

[berkeleysprings]

go over the roof area with cattle fence and cover it with hardware cloth
and use a few 2x4s with a few nails threw the cattle fence to the top of the 2x4 bend over the nails also u can attach a few pirches to the 2x4 for outside perching

 

[patandchickens]

You will need a sturdy wood frame (like with rafter-type supports) and it would be best to have one or two central posts as well, holding it up -- you will be surprised how much snow hardwarecloth catches, and how heavy that amount of snow is, and how much of a mess it makes of your hardwarecloth, run, and potentially *chickens* when the whole shebang collapses.

Browse last Dec for a variety of eddifying threads on the theme of "help, my run collapsed in last night's snow" if you need further incentive

Good luck, have fun,

Pat