How do I reinforce this door?

[debonatrix]

Hello!

How do I reinforce this door so a predator can’t push it I ?

 

[raingarden]

Put a piece of wood on the ground inside the door and attach it to the two upright metal posts. You can do the same thing at the top if needed.

 

[TX Chick Noob]

Do you mean how to latch it? Or how to keep them from coming in the bottom?

The wire ties you are using to attach your hardware cloth are pretty far apart (on the gate and on the other sections), something could potentially push in there. And wire ties get brittle with age in the sun and could snap, so you may want to lace/wrap the whole edge with tie wire or something similar.

 

[3KillerBs]

My coop doors have latches at the top and the bottom specifically to prevent predators from prying open a gap at the bottom.

 

[woodworm]

Personally I'd install a second latch at the bottom similar to the one you have higher up. Otherwise drive a stake into the ground as a 'stop' at the bottom (sort of where I've marked it in red but behind the gate!) - be prepared to fall over it

Just for info, you can buy stainless steel versions of those ties which may last longer.

 

[perkolator]

Does the door frame flex that much? Looking at how it hinges at the bottom and that latch being bolted to the frame (instead of those clamps that can rotate when loose), I'd imagine there's not that much flex when it's pushed on.

I would start with making sure all the bolts on the tube frame are nice and snug, so the frame has less flex in it. Then I'd likely just lay 2-3 cinder blocks on the inside of the gate - it will prevent door from being pushed inward, but another benefit is it is a baffle to keep that sand and wood chips from blocking the door from closing/opening. That was a constant battle for me at my run gate until I put a baffle there to hold back the wood chips.

I would likely be swapping out those zipties for some galvanized metal wire, more closely spaced.

 

[debonatrix]

Do you mean how to latch it? Or how to keep them from coming in the bottom?

The wire ties you are using to attach your hardware cloth are pretty far apart (on the gate and on the other sections), something could potentially push in there. And wire ties get brittle with age in the sun and could snap, so you may want to lace/wrap the whole edge with tie wire or something similar.

Thank you! I will do that.

 

[debonatrix]

Personally I'd install a second latch at the bottom similar to the one you have higher up. Otherwise drive a stake into the ground as a 'stop' at the bottom (sort of where I've marked it in red but behind the gate!) - be prepared to fall over it

Just for info, you can buy stainless steel versions of those ties which may last longer.

View attachment 3273515

Thank you! Honestly, I have zero idea why I didn't think of metal zip ties to begin with.

 

[debonatrix]

Do you mean how to latch it? Or how to keep them from coming in the bottom?

The wire ties you are using to attach your hardware cloth are pretty far apart (on the gate and on the other sections), something could potentially push in there. And wire ties get brittle with age in the sun and could snap, so you may want to lace/wrap the whole edge with tie wire or something similar.

I mean pushing the bottom inwards specifically. They is my main concern. The rest I’ll work on.

 

[debonatrix]

My coop doors have latches at the top and the bottom specifically to prevent predators from prying open a gap at the bottom.

View attachment 3273477

That is a great idea! Thank you!