We're still in "building"/"purchasing" mode here...but one of the things that's on our list is the roof of the run will have to be something strong enough to hold the weight of snow.
We have a gazebo (one of the simple ones with a canvas top) and there was a year where we went off to work thinking no snow was in the forecast and came home to a ton of snow that had not only ripped through the fabric but had busted down some of the poles on the roof of the gazebo.
So more than likely when we build/purchase our run it'll have to be super sturdy top. Would like to keep it open o.n top but since we're not at home during the day I don't want the chickens escaping up and out, or bad critters getting in to hurt them.
We have a gazebo (one of the simple ones with a canvas top) and there was a year where we went off to work thinking no snow was in the forecast and came home to a ton of snow that had not only ripped through the fabric but had busted down some of the poles on the roof of the gazebo.
So more than likely when we build/purchase our run it'll have to be super sturdy top. Would like to keep it open o.n top but since we're not at home during the day I don't want the chickens escaping up and out, or bad critters getting in to hurt them.
On your advice I spoke with the breeder who was incredibly helpful about what types of predators she has had to deal with around here (possums and such tearing through the chicken wire, for instance). We've decided to go with buried hardware cloth all around. I'll try to post pictures when we're all set up!
