How to secure: Weasel&Coon on the loose

[songbirdfarms]

Have a weasel AND a coon snoopin my coop and run. It’s Fort Knox except the run entrance. Can’t figure out how to weasel proof as the latch needs more than one inch either way to open, plus the coon could operate the latch.
Suggestions appreciated! My farm is two miles from home - I gotta get this done before tonight!

 

[Folly's place]

You can't have any openings larger that 1/2" anywhere to be safe. Period. And critters can pull that hardware cloth off, and open your latch.
I hope your birds have a safe coop, because that run isn't going to protect them!
Properly set up electric fencing works well against most ground predators, although maybe not weasels.
Otherwise, the hardware cloth needs to be stapled in with fence staples, and then covered with 1"x4" boards screwed into the run framing, or some equally secure attachments. Reframe or replace the door, remembering that maximum 1/2" maximum opening all the way around, and an actual lock.
If necessary, bring your birds into a safer place until this is fixed, or you may loose them all one evening.
Mary

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

As a quick fix: Secure the door with two loops of thicker wire that you just twist. Raccoons can't untwist wires.
For the door: If you have some hardware cloth left over you can cut a stripthat covers the gap between the door frame and the stud and attach that to the door so that it overlaps the gap.

 

[azygous]

You need to give up being able to swing the gate open in both directions. As both @WannaBeHillBilly and @Folly's place have pointed out, that gap must be closed with something immovable. The gate must fit flush against whatever you secure over that gap. Decide which way the gate should open, inward or outward, and secure the gap from the opposite side.

Also, don't forget the bottom of the gate. A weasel will have no problem digging under unless you rig up a sill that the gate bottom can close against.

I have a run that is metal posts and metal fencing, and it's a real challenge finding a way to secure wood to metal. I've had good luck with old fashioned baling wire to secure wood pieces to my metal, then it's easy from there to use screws and other such hardware to finish the project.

 

[songbirdfarms]

You can't have any openings larger that 1/2" anywhere to be safe. Period. And critters can pull that hardware cloth off, and open your latch.
I hope your birds have a safe coop, because that run isn't going to protect them!
Properly set up electric fencing works well against most ground predators, although maybe not weasels.
Otherwise, the hardware cloth needs to be stapled in with fence staples, and then covered with 1"x4" boards screwed into the run framing, or some equally secure attachments. Reframe or replace the door, remembering that maximum 1/2" maximum opening all the way around, and an actual lock.
If necessary, bring your birds into a safer place until this is fixed, or you may loose them all one evening.
Mary

Thank you. My coop is SUPER safe. It’s during the day I am worried about- but that includes dusk so I know I have a lot to worry about there. The hardware cloth is secured to the metal frame with zip ties at every gap around the walls and the top is clothed over too. Are the ties inferior?

 

[roosterhavoc]

Thank you. My coop is SUPER safe. It’s during the day I am worried about- but that includes dusk so I know I have a lot to worry about there. The hardware cloth is secured to the metal frame with zip ties at every gap around the walls and the top is clothed over too. Are the ties inferior?

Yes the zip ties can be chewed through in seconds. It would be cheaper and faster to just trap the raccoons and weasel.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Are the ties inferior?

Ties are extremely inferior, over time they break down in the weather.

 

[Folly's place]

Metal zip ties are better, but harder to find, and just not enough anyway.
Mary

 

[wyoDreamer]

Maybe you could put a flap of something over the latch - like a thick rubber scrap. something you will need to bend up out of the way to get to the latch. It will make it harder for the coon to get his hands on the latch and flip it up.
I vote for a 2x4 installed on the inside of the coop so the gate will sit tight against it. You want the door to swing out - once you get litter build-up against the inside of the gate you will not be able to swing the gate inward to open it. That also would let you partially bury a piece of wood along the door inside the coop to prevent digging in.

 

[songbirdfarms]

Metal zip ties are better, but harder to find, and just not enough anyway.
Mary

I ordered stainless steel zip ties. If they are not enough to secure sheets of hardware cloth together while tying to the original structure than what is?