Help Me Predator Proof!

[Avyona]

My husband had this amazing coop built for me for our 21st anniversary We are just waiting on temps to go down a tad before adding our 4 silkies. Its a 6x14. I have raised them from chicks and LOVE them. They love me too. I wouldnt be able to accept one of them getting killed by a predator. We have 150 acres of deep woods, mountains. So we have EVERY predator. Can you all please look it over and make suggestions? There are a few areas of concern which I have noted in the pictures.

1) The man door has a 1/4-1/2" gap at the top and side.
2) The Egg hutch has a 1/2" gap on one side. I'm worried about weasels and snakes here.
3) The interior coop wall has an open 4" gap in the framing for ventilation at the top. Worried about any predator making a breach in the run and then being able to get it up there.
4) The clean out door just have regular small bolts at the top. He did add a furring strip at the top to keep the doors from being pushed in. I worry those simple bolts could be operated by raccoons. So we added two "U" shaped brackets at the bottom floor to hold a 1" x 3" board that can be removed for cleanout and a strong barrel bolt at the lower half of the door. We felt this would further prevent the door from being pushed in at the bottom. This also fixed an issue at the bottom of the cleanout door having a 1/2" gap. Snakes....weasels. BUT, what about a predator pulling the door outward?

Any thoughts appreciated!

 

[nuthatched]

I think those areas are too small for weasel. you need that big crack for ventilation since there doesn't appear to be *any* other permanent ventilation for the coop. Just cover it in hardware cloth if you want.

 

[FrostRanger]

First, congrats on 21 years! That is quite an accomplishment! Second, I agree with @nuthatched about covering any gaps you're worried about with hardware cloth and the need for more ventilation. I would also suggest addition some electric fencing around your run especially if you have bears. Electric fencing will deter many ground predators

 

[Huntmaster]

I think those areas are too small for weasel. you need that big crack for ventilation since there doesn't appear to be *any* other permanent ventilation for the coop. Just cover it in hardware cloth if you want.

Looks great very nice job only thing I would add is some more permanent ventilation up in the top of wall that faces run. As far as predators looks like you have that covered well. As @nuthatched stated you can cover that 4" gap with hardware cloth if you want run does look predator proof but never too safe. I'm sure your 4 silkies will love it.

 

[Avyona]

As for more permanent ventilation, we are going to add some permanent 4" circle vents on all four sides at the top...like at least 8.

 

[Huntmaster]

As for more permanent ventilation, we are going to add some permanent 4" circle vents on all four sides at the top...like at least 8.

I would put one larger vent in top of wall facing run so it would be more weatherproof from rain/snow with being covered with roof from run. 4" vents won't do much but would help. You do have nice overhanging roof so that will help with weather getting in from vents.

 

[aart]

Looks pretty very secure to me.

add some permanent 4" circle vents on all four sides at the top...like at least 8.

Probably need more than that.

Maybe I missed it but....
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[BURNIE450]

You could add wood on the inside to prevent the things from getting in that's what I normally do.