Who uses welded wire fencing for their run? Tips? Tricks? Height?

[aart]

Yeah we did too....went from about 34 inches down to about 24 during that 'warm up'...only 2 days out of 30 that were above freezing.
Then we got another 6-7 inches since then but it continues to settle and evaporate....I just hope we don't get anymore significant snowfall, I'm tired of keeping it cleared.
Supposed to see a few hours above freezing later this week....it would be nice if it just stayed above zero from now on.

 

[Branch Chickens]

Agreed. It looks like 10 below for us tonight.

On the bright side, I think I'll do a much better job preparing our new coop for winter with a winter like this one in the recent past.
We're supposed to have a couple of "warm" days at the end of this week, and I have an inkling that this may be the turnaround for us. The ladybugs are coming to life around our old windows, robins are digging around in the ditches, and the chickadees are singing their spring song. That has to count for something, right?

 

[tatertot]

Oh my...its 20° HERE today and we've only got 2/4 inches on the ground.
My question is do your birds still go outside in weather like this

 

[aart]

I kept part of the run shoveled out all winter, yes they go out if it's not below about 5 degrees and/or real windy.
Part of the run is under the shed and dry all the time, they can dust bathe there all year long.

 

[Branch Chickens]

I see them out as long as the ground is cleared off and something bare can be seen. Even if it's just a layer of hay or shavings on top of the snow. I've heard it said that they don't go out on snow because they are so easy for predators to see. Makes sense.

 

[Theweddlefarm]

I use wire panels. They're a real heavy gauge steel that I originally stole from my husband's sheep pens. I bow them into a u-shape. It's 6' tall in the middle. Then I secure on the sides with t-posts and treated lumbar runs. That's covered with chicken wire. It's kind of costly, but very strong and it's worth knowing my birds are safe.