New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Coop door latch advice needed

post #1 of 10
11/29/11 at 8:29pm
Thread Starter 

I had a small coop made by our high school carpentry class and there are heavy-duty wired doors on either side of the coop.  One door will be the entrance into the secured run, the other door apparently is where I am to slide out the metal tray for cleaning or allow them out to free range.

I am pretty nervous about the one door that will always be the easiest access by any predators like racoons, possums, etc.  Here is a picture most resembling the type of sliding bolt latch they used but I'm sure there must be something more secure that I can replace it with.

Any other suggestions?  Or can I add some kind of a lock in addition to using this type of latch?  Thanks for any advice given.


http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp37/RedhairNFreckles_2008/t_212610.jpg

Mama to 2 hens and 1 rooster, 4 dogs~~~2 rescued greyhounds from the racetrack, a hound mix and a rat terrier, both strays.  Newest pet addition...4 hermit crabs...bought 4 more....total of 8 now. 

Also "Mimi" to 5 grandkids, who keep me busy going to their school soccer, basketball, volleyball games, community and school plays and dance recitals. 

Reply

Mama to 2 hens and 1 rooster, 4 dogs~~~2 rescued greyhounds from the racetrack, a hound mix and a rat terrier, both strays.  Newest pet addition...4 hermit crabs...bought 4 more....total of 8 now. 

Also "Mimi" to 5 grandkids, who keep me busy going to their school soccer, basketball, volleyball games, community and school plays and dance recitals. 

Reply

Featured Stories on BackYard Chickens

Uncle Sam Expects You To Keep Hens and Raise Chickens!!
Join Our 4th Annual BYC Easter Hatch-A-Long
The Basics Of Raising Chickens - Raising Chickens 101
post #2 of 10
11/29/11 at 8:36pm
  • gryeyes
  • Platinum Poultry
  • Covered in Pet Hair & Feathers

I use the kind of latches that have a long flat bar with a slot in it which fits over a metal ring.  Intended to have a lock secure it, but I use a screw type carabiner. NOT the snap type, but the kind you have to use your opposable thumb and forefinger to tighten and loosen to get the carabiner open.

This is a photo of the hardware on the very first coop I ever built allll by myself.  puff puff pant puff puff

http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/41679_coophardware.jpg

I'd show a better photo of the latch itself but I don't have one in my archives.  Hopefully you can see what kind of latch and carabiner I'm talking about.


Edited by gryeyes - 11/29/11 at 8:40pm

-- Linda (AKA: gryeyes)
I refuse to fight a battle of wits with an unarmed person.

Buncha Outdoor PET chickens, ducks, two Toulouse ganders, and four turkeys. Plus 2 wiener dogs, some bunnies and a rescue cat which owns me. Oh. And a house silkie....

Reply

-- Linda (AKA: gryeyes)
I refuse to fight a battle of wits with an unarmed person.

Buncha Outdoor PET chickens, ducks, two Toulouse ganders, and four turkeys. Plus 2 wiener dogs, some bunnies and a rescue cat which owns me. Oh. And a house silkie....

Reply
post #3 of 10
11/29/11 at 9:16pm

I have a sliding barrel bolt like yours, but it is larger and has a hole at the end where you can secure it with a padlock, or something.  I don't want to hassle with a padlock, so each night I easily secure it with a dog leash clasp like this type:
http://www.keyosk.co.uk/images-products/pr-key-accessories-key-clips-belt-clip-dog-lead-clip.jpg

Here's a picture of the type of barrel bolt.  And I use leash clip in place of padlock (the leash clip hangs on a chain next to the door):
http://pullig.dyndns.org/pics/barrel_bolt.jpg

Reply
Reply
post #4 of 10
11/30/11 at 7:17am

I think you're right to be worried about that type of latch. With enough fiddling and rattling, a raccoon could open that.

Reply
Reply
post #5 of 10
11/30/11 at 7:19am

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h99/dschroeder/Big%20Coop/IMGP3665.jpg

North Central Director, Ameraucana Breeders Club

Member, United Orpington Club

Reply

North Central Director, Ameraucana Breeders Club

Member, United Orpington Club

Reply
post #6 of 10
11/30/11 at 8:10am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Schroeder 

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h99/dschroeder/Big%20Coop/IMGP3665.jpg


X2
Exactly what I have installed and no way anything get's through it, only cost about $4.

Wife, daughter, the sweet sixteen 2BR,2Dels,2SLW,3PR,3EE's,2SS,2BO
Sometimes He calms our storms;Sometimes He desides to ride them with us.
Reply
Wife, daughter, the sweet sixteen 2BR,2Dels,2SLW,3PR,3EE's,2SS,2BO
Sometimes He calms our storms;Sometimes He desides to ride them with us.
Reply
post #7 of 10
11/30/11 at 8:10am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Schwartzfarmnc 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Schroeder 

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h99/dschroeder/Big%20Coop/IMGP3665.jpg


X2
Exactly what I have installed and no way anything get's through it, only cost about $4.


I have the same one as well, but it was closer to $6 at home depot hmm

LES Farms

Breeder of nothing right now.Read our RE-Build of LES Farms Thread.

 

Lost everything in a barn fire 2/11/13. Can't even pull it together.

Thank you for all the condolences and all the support and donations given to help us rebuild. You are all so special to us.

 

Please READ my thread about FIRE SAFETY. Trying to save as many others from the little mistakes that cost me everything.

Reply

LES Farms

Breeder of nothing right now.Read our RE-Build of LES Farms Thread.

 

Lost everything in a barn fire 2/11/13. Can't even pull it together.

Thank you for all the condolences and all the support and donations given to help us rebuild. You are all so special to us.

 

Please READ my thread about FIRE SAFETY. Trying to save as many others from the little mistakes that cost me everything.

Reply
post #8 of 10
11/30/11 at 8:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by aoxa 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Schwartzfarmnc 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Schroeder 

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h99/dschroeder/Big%20Coop/IMGP3665.jpg


X2
Exactly what I have installed and no way anything get's through it, only cost about $4.


I have the same one as well, but it was closer to $6 at home depot hmm


Here is mine, but at Lowes it was right at $4.
http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/58941_door_lock.jpg

Wife, daughter, the sweet sixteen 2BR,2Dels,2SLW,3PR,3EE's,2SS,2BO
Sometimes He calms our storms;Sometimes He desides to ride them with us.
Reply
Wife, daughter, the sweet sixteen 2BR,2Dels,2SLW,3PR,3EE's,2SS,2BO
Sometimes He calms our storms;Sometimes He desides to ride them with us.
Reply
post #9 of 10
11/30/11 at 7:10pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks all for the ideas.  Tomorrow I'll take a picture of it and maybe once you see how little room I have on the door framing to add anything bigger, you can come up more ideas for me.  I don't think there's even enough room for me to change styles.

I really do appreciate all of you taking the time to post.

Mama to 2 hens and 1 rooster, 4 dogs~~~2 rescued greyhounds from the racetrack, a hound mix and a rat terrier, both strays.  Newest pet addition...4 hermit crabs...bought 4 more....total of 8 now. 

Also "Mimi" to 5 grandkids, who keep me busy going to their school soccer, basketball, volleyball games, community and school plays and dance recitals. 

Reply

Mama to 2 hens and 1 rooster, 4 dogs~~~2 rescued greyhounds from the racetrack, a hound mix and a rat terrier, both strays.  Newest pet addition...4 hermit crabs...bought 4 more....total of 8 now. 

Also "Mimi" to 5 grandkids, who keep me busy going to their school soccer, basketball, volleyball games, community and school plays and dance recitals. 

Reply
post #10 of 10
12/1/11 at 11:35am
Thread Starter 

Here's an actual picture of the coop latch.  The picture is actually upside down...oops.  I'm thinking about threading a piece of thick wire from side to side of the whole latch and twist it tightly to keep it from being so loose and prying fingers.  I might not even have a problem with racoons because I haven't seen one in years, possums either.

Any better thoughts from you experienced folks?  Thanks for any replies both current and past. hugs

http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp37/RedhairNFreckles_2008/image0.jpg

Mama to 2 hens and 1 rooster, 4 dogs~~~2 rescued greyhounds from the racetrack, a hound mix and a rat terrier, both strays.  Newest pet addition...4 hermit crabs...bought 4 more....total of 8 now. 

Also "Mimi" to 5 grandkids, who keep me busy going to their school soccer, basketball, volleyball games, community and school plays and dance recitals. 

Reply

Mama to 2 hens and 1 rooster, 4 dogs~~~2 rescued greyhounds from the racetrack, a hound mix and a rat terrier, both strays.  Newest pet addition...4 hermit crabs...bought 4 more....total of 8 now. 

Also "Mimi" to 5 grandkids, who keep me busy going to their school soccer, basketball, volleyball games, community and school plays and dance recitals. 

Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home

Featured Stories on BackYard Chickens

Uncle Sam Expects You To Keep Hens and Raise Chickens!!
Join Our 4th Annual BYC Easter Hatch-A-Long
The Basics Of Raising Chickens - Raising Chickens 101