Digging Predator Experience and Flimsy Coop??

[Binki]

Hey guys!

Haven't officially kept chickens but we are getting day old red sexlinks on August 4th (yay!) and bought a coop that's normally almost 400 dollars for 200 from TSC!

I posted this part below in the thread I started for aviary advice (that the chicken coop will connect to but will also rehabilitate birds lol) and I have everything sorted out now except for what I should do about digging predators and whether or not my good deal TSC coop can be easily ripped open by a raccoon

I'm pretty animal savvy but have never had to protect a live food source from predators before and I don't want to underestimate and have the whole flock and the birds I've raised for several weeks slain so I would appreciate your input!!

"I know I have raccoons but I don't believe they're much of a digger? Please correct me if I'm wrong!

We do have coyotes but have a fenced in yard... I don't expect a problem from them, they've very shy BUT I do have a trail right behind my house. I used to see them a few times a week sometimes and now haven't spotted one in a few months

I'm wondering about weasels? I haven't spotted any but I'm sure they're around, does anybody know how they dig to get at food?

I don't expect too big of a problem but we do have the forest and trail and wildlife and I hear they don't just kill one bird they kill them ALL and I'm also having the chickens able to connect to there from their coop (locked up at night).

The coop we bought from TSC doesn't seem racoon proof, especially the latch.. Like the wood just seems light and there's gaps where I think a racoon could grip on and pull but I am also thinking why the hell would they sell outdoor chicken coops that weren't predator proof? It uses hardware cloth but tiny staples, feels strong to me but I'm not a raccoon lol shouldn't it be those large gauge poultry staples??"

 

[IceAngel]

If you are worried about digging, then just bury some old page wire around the perimeter. Just lay it flat and cover it with sod or pack dirt over it. We own a dog kennel. When our guests start to dig near the fence they run into the buried wire and they give up and dig somewhere else, lol. We picked up a truck load of page wire at a farmer's auction, Since it was used and a therefor a bit bent in places, we got a whole bunch for 10 dollars.

 

[dekel18042]

Q

The coop we bought from TSC doesn't seem racoon proof, especially the latch.. Like the wood just seems light and there's gaps where I think a racoon could grip on and pull but I am also thinking why the hell would they sell outdoor chicken coops that weren't predator proof? It uses hardware cloth but tiny staples, feels strong to me but I'm not a raccoon lol shouldn't it be those large gauge poultry staples??"
Unfortunately raccoons have little hands which they can use to maneuver things. In addition to the slide bolt latches, my husband added barrel locks to each door plus each one also needs a key to be opened.
During the day we keep only the slide bolt latches on, but at night when more predators are out everything gets locked up.