How to lock a slinding coop door???

[Buxton Ducks]

I just finished my chicken door going into the run. My only concern is that it does not lock closed. It seems that a raccoon could easily slide this open and have a chicken dinner. I didn't know what everybody did to lock their sliding doors at night.

 

[4 the Birds]

I just finished my chicken door going into the run. My only concern is that it does not lock closed. It seems that a raccoon could easily slide this open and have a chicken dinner. I didn't know what everybody did to lock their sliding doors at night.

If your run is predator proof then the door does not need a lock.

I leave my coop door to the run open full time for ventilation and allows the birds outside access whenever they want.

 

[Chickendigger]

Is there anyway to change it from a side to side slidder to one the drops down with a pully system? That way the weight of the door makes it secure when it's down and in place. Mine is in a "channel" so it can't be pushed from the inside or outside, I pull the chord each morning to open it and release it each night to close it.

 

[vehve]

Drill a vertical hole in the top rail slightly to the right of the doors right side when it's in closed position, and put a nail, or something a bit prettier in the hole. This would keep it from being opened. If you want an easier to use mechanism, you can have a hinged piece of trim with some sort of pin that goes in the hole and locks it, and put a small handle on the trim.

 

[Buxton Ducks]

Thanks for the tips! While looking for my drill bits I found an old shed latch that I had. With that, I have officially Coon-proofed the door! I really would love to keep the door open all the time, but I don't think the run is 100% coon resistant.