chicken coop suggestions

[Alimarie]

Hi everyone!
Im fairly new to having chickens, i have enclosed chicken coop we would use specifically for night time for them to sleep,and keep predators out. During the day the chickens and ducks will free range. I have had 2 chickens and 1 rooster before, and racoons killed them i will post what we have started building and i would HIGHLY APPRECIATE everyones suggestions and opinions. I have 2 ducks and 6 chickens so far and i would love to keep them safe from predators. As of now raccoons have been the only issue. Coop is made from pallets and plywood. I have the little house fenced in all around with chicken wire. The coop itself has its own door and has a lock that only opens with key. My location is in south eastern texas . I will have pictures attached

 

[cavemanrich]

Raccoons are a night time predator for most part. If you lock your flock for the night in secure coop, you should be fine. Only you know if your coop is secure. I cant make out (viewing your photos) exact details if there are possible entry points a raccoon can squeeze thru.
The chicken wire will not keep a raccoon out. You would need the more expensive material called Hardware cloth, to be safe. You would also need the overhead secured with same.
2.x 4 welded wire would be another option to keep raccoons out. Safe for most part, except the possibility of your bird being reached for thru wire openings. That would happen if they were in run area, and raccoon was prowling during daytime, or early dusk.

Not sure if you are allowed, or up for this but,,,, a Hot Wire would keep predators out very well. That does get somewhat involved, and pricey, to install correctly, and effectively.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[Alimarie]

Raccoons are a night time predator for most part. If you lock your flock for the night in secure coop, you should be fine. Only you know if your coop is secure. I cant make out (viewing your photos) exact details if there are possible entry points a raccoon can squeeze thru.
The chicken wire will not keep a raccoon out. You would need the more expensive material called Hardware cloth, to be safe. You would also need the overhead secured with same.
2.x 4 welded wire would be another option to keep raccoons out. Safe for most part, except the possibility of your bird being reached for thru wire openings. That would happen if they were in run area, and raccoon was prowling during daytime, or early dusk.

Not sure if you are allowed, or up for this but,,,, a Hot Wire would keep predators out very well. That does get somewhat involved, and pricey, to install correctly, and effectively.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Thank you for your suggestion i will definitely go look for some hardware cloth, ive been reading that chicken wire is not enough not sure what a hot wire is but i'll try to find out, i just want my chickens and ducks safe

 

[aart]

Some pics taken during the day would help.

 

[cavemanrich]

not sure what a hot wire is but i'll try to find out,

Here is a link to one of many providers. Posting for you to get IDEAS, You can purchase many supplies from Farm Stores, like TSC. Rural King, Farm and Fleet, and many others.
https://www.premier1supplies.com/poultry/fencing.php