My first coop (not done yet, but habitable) - looking for weak spots

[DaveD]

Dogfish, you are certainly correct. I was intending to put the supports in there.

Pat, I was going to trim the length of the panels in place, just haven't gotten there yet - the sides actually don't overhange more than 1/2" (or won't after the 1x4 trim is put on the side you see, it's already on the other side with the door. Wish I had gotten your suggestion about the wire under the plastic before - I love that idea. But with about 200 screws holding the roof on, I don't know if I have it in me to do. However, this roof isn't plastic, it's polycarb and rated from -40 up to +270 farenheit and 115 lbs/ft2
The door hinges have lag bolts that, if I was to guess, are about 1.5" long, since I made the door fron 1x4s and had to sister a piece to the back around the hinges, which barely made it thick enough to put the screws in. The latch side - it is bolted through on the door - the other side has 2" screws into the 4x4 post. Do you think I need to replace the hardware? Or do you think I need to make the door thicker?


-David
If it's worth doing, it's worth over-doing

 

[Dogfish]

It looks like you put some bolsters on the back side of the door where the lag bolts go through, so you should be okay, but if the door starts to sag over time, maybe replace the lags with carriage bolts. That would go a long way to strengthen the door hinges. I would also place a door stop on the far side of the jamb, inside the coop, if you don't have one already. Top and bottom on the right side. This will prevent overtravel.

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
I know, I have the same stuff myself on a run roof, and the thing is it is still quite flimsy from a predator's standpoint. If I can cut it (easily) with scissors, a raccoon or etc would have no trouble with its teeth and claws. Just sayin' -- it is not likely to be a *common* problem.

Rather than cutting off the lower overhang, why not extend your supports so you get some use out of that material, as a larger overhang to better protect the run?

The door hinges have lag bolts that, if I was to guess, are about 1.5" long, since I made the door fron 1x4s and had to sister a piece to the back around the hinges, which barely made it thick enough to put the screws in. The latch side - it is bolted through on the door - the other side has 2" screws into the 4x4 post. Do you think I need to replace the hardware? Or do you think I need to make the door thicker?

Enh. It's a personal decision. From what I can see, it looks a bit iffy for my tastes, but what matters is how YOU feel about it

Good luck, have fun,

Pat​

 

[LittleChocobo]

I've seen bigger, male raccoons open those rings. They can chew them open and if he can figure it out to manipulate it in the right direction, a big male could get the ring off. Raccoons are pretty smart - you'd be surprised. At least, the ones in Oregon are. I don't know where you are, but Oregonians generally leave raccoons alone, so they just get bigger and smarter and stronger. I was going to use a padlock on mine.

 

[DaveD]

Ok Choco - a padlock is shall be. thanks. I'm on Long Island, so not a ton of Raccoons, but they are here.