Chicken door latch advice...

[jed1154]

So, i have a regular hook that secures the chicken door open and closed. It is the kind that has a little spring...its called a security latch. Anyway, its a real pain to work. So, what kinds of latches are you guys using? I need something that will be racoon proof and at the same time keep the door closed as tightly as possible. Any ideas?

 

[Franecca]

We use barrell bolts. It keeps the door closed securely, yet is easy for us to open.

 

[coffeelady3]

I use a hasp and caribener to lock the door. Here's a pic of the ones I use for the roof, so you can get an idea of what I'm talking about.

 

[ChanceRider]

I use a swivel hasp, with a carabiner through the swivel. Since the doors to my coop are about 5' tall, I also use a barrel bolt at the top and bottom of the doors. For the pop door, I use just the swivel hasp, again with a carabiner. Very easy to open/close with one hand, yet it seems quite secure.

 

[silkiechicken]

I use one of those drop down gate latches with the pad lock hole in the bottom. I then put a pad lock in the hole to deter both two and four legged preds.