so, after several weeks our dog run has been transformed into a chicken run with a coop. Later we will expand the size (there is another portion of run that needs to be secured for chicken use). After that I plan on making another run connected to the original portions.
So, updates. The uncovered portion of my run has now been extended in height and now covered in bird wire to keep out predators from above. I made this 'Dutch' gate to go over the existent dog run gate, and it works very well.