Nest box/ Raccoon question

[Give_Peeps_A_Chance]

I am new to keeping chickens and have a new coop. I do not have chickens yet, but I DO have 2 Raccoons that live on my property. My nest boxes are about 4 feet off the ground and open from the outside. They don't have a latch. DO I need to put one on? Can the Raccoons figure out how to open the nest boxes and get to the chickens? Any help/ advice on this would be appreciated.

Thanks friends!

 

[Polish Chickens]

Yes you will need to lock your new coop to keep predators out from the coop and also an electric fence and also you will need to put a board underneath your coop that way they won't kill your flock. You can also buy predator proof equipment to keep away predators

 

[Chirpy]

First ...

Second... raccoons are amazingly good at getting into chicken coops and runs. They can open many different kinds of locks too; some people have actually had to use padlocks with a key to keep raccoons out. They will rip through chicken wire or reach through and grab a chicken and pull it back out. They are great climbers.

So - yes you absolutely need to lock your nest boxes and really predator proof your chicken coop.

Good luck and have fun with your chickens.

 

[jhart101]

from NC.

Yes, lock them up. If you go for a simple latch then over time they will figure it out also...pretty smart critters!

 

[Polish Chickens]

Forgot to say welcome to BYC and 100% predator proof your coop