Is this latch raccoon proof?

[SparksNV]

Big surprise last night, saw a raccoon coming out of the sewer on our way home from soccer practice! I live in a tract neighborhood (our lots are big compared to most neighborhoods - 1/3-1/2 acres). While he was about a block and a half away from us, I understand the danger of having a coon so close. We will not be able to trap it or dispatch it. I am going to call our county animal control this morning.

Our pop door has the hook and eye latch that has the spring on the hook part. You have to raise up the spring closure to remove the hood from the eye. Is that type of latch raccoon proof?

Thanks

 

[3rocksandme]

Your latch is not raccoon proof. We had the same thing, and one got in. It was ugly. It was worse than ugly, it was nightmare-ish. Ripped off head, gutted, entrails hanging out chickens, some just dead and not eaten. I would reinforce that door/latch right away. We put a key lock on our doors.

 

[SparksNV]

Thanks 3Rocks - I would have thought that latch was coon proof - My 11 and 13 yo dd's have such a hard time opening it! I'll go to the store today and buy different latches.

 

[woodmort]

Best bet is one of those latches with a hasp that fits over a loop where the loop turns. The put a padlock on it--it's ok to leave a key in the lock. Anything with a simple hook and eye, even with a spring hook can be opened by little raccoon hands.

 

[SparksNV]

woodmort: I have one of those on my people door. I'll buy one for the pop door and poop door. I have a nesting box that was made out of an old cabinet. I think I will have to modify it with some wood and screws to get that type of latch on it. I will do my best! Thanks!

 

[elmo]

Quote:
Oh, no! You mean like this?

 

[PineappleMama]

I've got one like that ^ and then use a carabiner... on the upper part of the human (only) door...

Then there's a plain ol' eye and hook near the bottom... then eyes that run from frame to door with a 'post' that slides down through them from a bit below the handle all the way down and into the ground.

So far so good... heck, I'm still trying to get DD to figure it all out.

 

[rancher hicks]

Pics folks, please?

 

[3rocksandme]

hook and eye is like this: http://www.agrisupply.com/product.asp?pn=19338

elmo - we eneded up putting on latches like yours but instead of the hook, we use a key lock, like a bike or locker one. so far it has worked. With the hook and eye latch (like the above link) we had a raccoon get in.

 

[3rocksandme]

our run is completely enclosed, and the raccoon climbed the the side of the coop (I am assuming) to open the hook and eye latch on the people door to get in. We now have locked latches on the chicken door, people door, and the door entering the run, reinforced walls on the coop and a motion light on that bad boy.

It was about a month or so the chickens were out with the hook and eye system without a problem. What a raccoon does is ugly and I would strongly suggest taking as many precautions as possible.