Is a simple door latch safe for a chicken coop?

[ericlw55555]

Hi, I live in suburban San Diego and I'm pretty new to chickens and I just bought a trixie chicken coop to raise chickens in my backyard. The coop is great and has good quality but I am feeling a bit uneasy about the safety of the coop at night as I'm afraid the simple door latches can be opened by raccoons with their sophisticated hands. Is this something I should be worrying about or am I just being a bit too paranoid? After all, I don't live in a rural area where there are wild animals everywhere. There are also several houses between my house and the mountain area where the wild animals are, so I think having predators jump into my backyard is quite unlikely. Either way, if it is still a legit threat, do you guys know what can I do to secure this type of sliding door latch?

 

[pennyJo1960]

Hey would love more photos of the coop but I would encourage another latch the type that has a hasp you flip over and turn to stop racoon from opening it

 

[Rammy]

Racoons can open that. Id also reinfoce it with hardware clothe. That wire on there isnt all to sturdy against determined predators.

 

[blackdog043]

Id also reinfoce it with hardware clothe. That wire on there isnt all to sturdy against determined predators.

Looks like 1/2" HWC to me!

 

[Sonya9]

Raccoons are the worry when it comes to opening latches and they are in a lot of suburban CA neighborhoods.

I would upgrade that latch. Not sure with what exactly as there isn't much wood there. Might even have to add a piece of wood to accomodate a better latch.

 

[Fishychix]

Hey would love more photos of the coop but I would encourage another latch the type that has a hasp you flip over and turn to stop racoon from opening it

I love those! I also include a carabiner and turn it upsidedown as well. If you think you have enough protection against raccoons, get more protection. It looks like you have 1/2” hardware cloth on the door, that’s pretty good. Don’t go smaller, the 1/4” has a smaller gauge as well as smaller openings and a raccoon could pull a hole into it pretty easy. You could add metal window screen on top of the hardware cloth. They dont (usually) get through that.

 

[blackdog043]

Yes, you should change it. A hasp lock with a carabiner or snap link will work fine.

 

[Fishychix]

Hi, I live in suburban San Diego and I'm pretty new to chickens and I just bought a trixie chicken coop to raise chickens in my backyard. The coop is great and has good quality but I am feeling a bit uneasy about the safety of the coop at night as I'm afraid the simple door latches can be opened by raccoons with their sophisticated hands. Is this something I should be worrying about or am I just being a bit too paranoid? After all, I don't live in a rural area where there are wild animals everywhere. There are also several houses between my house and the mountain area where the wild animals are, so I think having predators jump into my backyard is quite unlikely. Either way, if it is still a legit threat, do you guys know what can I do to secure this type of sliding door latch?

Regading the predators, I’m very certain that if you were to put out a camera for a couple of days and nights you would be VERY surprised by what comes by for a visit. Especially if you’re opening a restaurant (chicken! Hmm, yummy!)

 

[21hens-incharge]

Do also look at HOW the wire is attached. If it is just stapled on adding some firing strips or other wood over those staples will help A TON.

 

[Fishychix]

Do also look at HOW the wire is attached. If it is just stapled on adding some firing strips or other wood over those staples will help A TON.

Excellent point! And furring strips are very affordable in case you're budget conscious. Definitely make sure your swivel hasp has enough room by adding more wood. I think someone may have already said, but it bears repeating.