Where can you get good latches?

[Jenna14Chicken]

So I'm having a few coons venturing in my yard again! And I'm not going to put up with them after what they did to my last flock. So I'm going to get some good latches for my coop but don't no which are good and which aren't and where to get them and how much they are. Thanks for any help or advice!

 

[Folly's place]

I have two 'human sized' doors to my coop and run, with conventional lockable exterior door knobs and keyed locks. No critter will get the key off the post and unlock those doors!!! Mary

 

[RobertPlamondon]

This hook eye latch is what i use exclusively on all 3 of my koops
Along with spring loaded hinges

I second the hook-and-eye latch idea, and I'll add this wrinkle: use two! Put one at the height you'd normally use, and another one closer to ground level. This gives two advantages:

1. A latch near raccoon height prevents them from prying enough of a gap to squeeze through, while one at ordinary human height sometimes does, especially if the door is lightweight and flexible, or just doesn't fit very well (and over time, all coop doors fit less well than they used to).
2. Two latches are better than one. In windstorms, gusts tend to wrench my coop doors off their hinges (my coops are mostly on an open pasture)

I like the spring hinges, too! I sometimes use old-fashioned screen doors springs, which work fine, but having springs in the hinges seems simpler and more elegant. I'll have to check it out. I like having spring-loaded "people doors" on coops because I so often enter them with both hands full -- hard to close the door behind me.

Robert

 

[timemine]

I use self locking gate latches secured with a carabiner on all my doors. The only thing to look out for would be the door closing behind you and having no one to let you out.

 

[Jenna14Chicken]

Ok thanks, what about for the door for the chickens? Or do you let them out from the door u use? Thank you!

 

[Jenna14Chicken]

Does anyone else Have any?

 

[TLWR]

I use hasp locks on pen and house doors and then put a carabiner through all.

 

[jpalmatier83]

I use lockable barrel bolts And carabiners. I also shim one side of the barrel bolt so it's more of a pressure fit. Hasps and carabiners would work as well.

A quote I heard, which is apt, is "if a 5 year old can open it a raccoon can". In my experience it hold true from a mental or physical standpoint. If it takes some stronger or more clever than a 5yo, you're probably coon safe.

 

[Jenna14Chicken]

Thanks everyone!

 

[koopmaster]

This hook eye latch is what i use exclusively on all 3 of my koops
Along with spring loaded hinges