TyrannosaurusChix, a roof is not the main thing for predatorproofing -- IMO the priorities for a day-only run are, in descending order of importance, something like:
1) run fence/posts that a dog will not flatten or rip right through. This means well-set posts and something OTHER THAN chickenwire or thin plastic netting, and at least 4' high to at least make them *think* if they wanna go over it.
2) some form of digproofing, at least a mild discouragement like 6-12" of buried fence wire or a 12" wide apron or a buncha big rocks/pavers/concrete-rubble.
3) some form of hawk discouragement, even if it is just crisscrossed string or somewhere for chickens to hide under.
4) some form of prevention of reach-through, even if it is just flimsy plastic mesh or chickenwire.
5) serious digproofing, like 18"+ of buried wire mesh or a 2-3' apron
6) serious prevention of reach-through, such as 1/2" poultry mesh or hardwarecloth
7) serious hawk prevention, i.e. a full wire top or solid roof.
Of course you can argue about *exactly* how I've prioritized this, everyone has their own opinions, but my point is that there are a lot of OTHER (and more cheaper!) things that are probably more worthwhile. In particular, remember that dogs are generally a much bigger threat than hawks in the sense that a hawk only takes one bird at a time whereas loose dogs can produce Game Over in five minutes flat.
JMHO,
Pat
1) run fence/posts that a dog will not flatten or rip right through. This means well-set posts and something OTHER THAN chickenwire or thin plastic netting, and at least 4' high to at least make them *think* if they wanna go over it.
2) some form of digproofing, at least a mild discouragement like 6-12" of buried fence wire or a 12" wide apron or a buncha big rocks/pavers/concrete-rubble.
3) some form of hawk discouragement, even if it is just crisscrossed string or somewhere for chickens to hide under.
4) some form of prevention of reach-through, even if it is just flimsy plastic mesh or chickenwire.
5) serious digproofing, like 18"+ of buried wire mesh or a 2-3' apron
6) serious prevention of reach-through, such as 1/2" poultry mesh or hardwarecloth
7) serious hawk prevention, i.e. a full wire top or solid roof.
Of course you can argue about *exactly* how I've prioritized this, everyone has their own opinions, but my point is that there are a lot of OTHER (and more cheaper!) things that are probably more worthwhile. In particular, remember that dogs are generally a much bigger threat than hawks in the sense that a hawk only takes one bird at a time whereas loose dogs can produce Game Over in five minutes flat.
JMHO,
Pat
