Help me predator proof my coop

[1776Chick]

Hi I’m a first time chicken owner, have 4 two week old Easter eggers and love them already so much! We got a coop from tractor supply, I know it’s probably too small and I’m sure we will be building something else on our own in the near future.. but for now can you guys look at the photos and help me raccoon proof this thing? We have a very persistent evil raccoon who steals all the bird seed right on the deck and isn’t afraid of anything. I know the coop has next to no ventilation (adding that this weekend). We are going to screw it down to the beams and there is hardware cloth buried under the dirt/sand and screwed to the beams. I also want to add better locks. Any advice for a good raccoon proof lock? Also, is it good/bad to have all sand in the run? Should I add something else? The chickens will free range in our fenced yard most of day.

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC.

Here's a thread on raccoon-proof latches: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/raccoon-proof-locks.1456746/#post-24255806 If you've got a raccoon that bold you probably want to look into some kind of electric fence option. I've got the Premier 1, 48", solar kit and I love it -- though I admit that it has some drawbacks, among those being that chicks under about 12-16 weeks can get through the mesh.

I am not a fan of sand in the run, this is my preference: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/using-deep-bedding-in-a-small-coop.76343/ Others find that sand suits them perfectly. You can try it and see then change if it doesn't work.

Good for you planning to increase the ventilation. The best place is probably the wall that faces into the covered run.

Yes, your chicks will rapidly outgrow the little coop. Hopefully the cost of lumber will come down soon. Where, in general, are you located? Climate matters a lot and we can give better suggestions if we know what you're likely to be dealing with.

 

[1776Chick]

Welcome to BYC.

Here's a thread on raccoon-proof latches: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/raccoon-proof-locks.1456746/#post-24255806 If you've got a raccoon that bold you probably want to look into some kind of electric fence option. I've got the Premier 1, 48", solar kit and I love it -- though I admit that it has some drawbacks, among those being that chicks under about 12-16 weeks can get through the mesh.

I am not a fan of sand in the run, this is my preference: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/using-deep-bedding-in-a-small-coop.76343/ Others find that sand suits them perfectly. You can try it and see then change if it doesn't work.

Good for you planning to increase the ventilation. The best place is probably the wall that faces into the covered run.

Yes, your chicks will rapidly outgrow the little coop. Hopefully the cost of lumber will come down soon. Where, in general, are you located? Climate matters a lot and we can give better suggestions if we know what you're likely to be dealing with.

Thanks so much for your advice! I’m located in SW Michigan. I’m really hoping lumber costs go down also . I really like the deep bedding idea, I will probably try that (sort of doing it now in their brooder area). I don’t know if we will want to do the electric fence option as our young kids that play back there. Hopefully updating the latches will be enough to keep the raccoons out.

 

[Chuckie chicken]

Just slip a carabiner through that key thingy on the nest box door to keep coons from fiddling it open.

If you have a coon that's previously made itself at home in your backyard, you may want to *ahem* "deal" with it.

 

[Sally PB]

@1776Chick, welcome! As you wander through BYC, be sure to stop by the Michigan thread and say hello.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ll-are-welcome.697050/page-4930#post-24536087

Below are pictures of my eye screw/carabineer run door lock, but it would work for raccoon proofing most any closing. It's worked perfectly for over a year, and is very inexpensive. The carabineer doubles as the door pull.

 

[1776Chick]

Just slip a carabiner through that key thingy on the nest box door to keep coons from fiddling it open.

If you have a coon that's previously made itself at home in your backyard, you may want to *ahem* "deal" with it.

I’ll definitely use a carabiner on nest box door, but I think the other doors will need better locks. I’ve tried being nice with the raccoon, he’s been scared off with a bb shot a couple times as I didn’t want to injure it but I won’t be so nice if it messes with my chickens!

 

[1776Chick]

@1776Chick, welcome! As you wander through BYC, be sure to stop by the Michigan thread and say hello.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ll-are-welcome.697050/page-4930#post-24536087

Below are pictures of my eye screw/carabineer run door lock, but it would work for raccoon proofing most any closing. It's worked perfectly for over a year, and is very inexpensive. The carabineer doubles as the door pull.

I like that idea, thanks!