New coop- are these predator concerns?

[jmb52]

Hello! We ordered an Amish built coop because I don't have skills, and it was delivered yesterday evening. Overall I'm very happy with it, but I have a couple questions/concerns. Pictures attached. 1) The nesting box lid is long so it's quite heavy. Are the little hook latches enough for it to be secure against predators? (We don't have bears.) Does anyone think racoons or similar predators could lift a lid like that? 2) Is the gap under the nesting box lid a concern? I feel like if nothing else, mice could get in there. Thanks for any input!

 

[theoldchick]

You can always change to predator proof latches and put wire or nail a small board over the gap. Your coop may need more ventilation anyway so the gap will help with that.

 

[jmb52]

You can always change to predator proof latches and put wire or nail a small board over the gap. Your coop may need more ventilation anyway so the gap will help with that.

Thanks. I will do those things if these are concerns, but don't want to mess with it if the lid is heavy enough to not need other latches and if the gap is actually ok. The coop has a ridge vent so I was told it didn't need more ventilation?

 

[saysfaa]

Racoons can lift more than their body weight. They typically weigh between 5 and 35 pounds but sometimes weigh as much as 60. Heaviest recorded weight is 75, but he was a pet.

 

[saysfaa]

The ridge vent might be enough, depending on how big it is, how many chicken you have, and your climate.
I have one also and it isn't as big as I thought it would be. The builder made the birdsmouth notches deeper than I thought they would be. And the ridge is 15'9" long, so we used 3 instead of the 4 vent sections we planned and took one 4' section back. It is only the actual opening that counts - you subtract the width of each rafter (ridge side and eaves side) and some for the wire.

I love the ridge vent; I think it (and monitors and cupulas) is more effective than most types of venting. But I'm glad I have an open side too.

 

[jmb52]

Racoons can lift more than their body weight. They typically weigh between 5 and 35 pounds but sometimes weigh as much as 60. Heaviest recorded weight is 75, but he was a pet.

Well darn. Thank you.

 

[jmb52]

The ridge vent might be enough, depending on how big it is, how many chicken you have, and your climate.
I have one also and it isn't as big as I thought it would be. The builder made the birdsmouth notches deeper than I thought they would be. And the ridge is 15'9" long, so we used 3 instead of the 4 vent sections we planned and took one 4' section back. It is only the actual opening that counts - you subtract the width of each rafter (ridge side and eaves side) and some for the wire.

I love the ridge vent; I think it (and monitors and cupulas) is more effective than most types of venting. But I'm glad I have an open side too.

We have 5 chicks and a 6 x 8 coop and I believe the ridge vent runs the length of it. I don't know about notches and sections and rafters and how that comes into play though. Guess I will look into that more once I make some predator proofing changes. There are also windows on the E and W facing walls for a cross breeze, but they just came with screens so aren't much help until I can get hardware cloth over them.

 

[BrickCoop15]

Nice coop! I have a similar Amish built coop. I added a lock to the nesting box lid because I had the same concerns about it being lifted by raccoons. I also changed the wire they used on the windows to hardware cloth because the wire they used had openings that were too large. Mine does have the large gap at the top of the nesting box lid. I did not fix it and haven't had issues with mice or predators. However, the gap on your coop looks like it may be a little larger than the one on mine. For peace of mind, you might want to fill it in some how at least at the widest spot in the upper corner.

 

[3KillerBs]

Yes, you should change to more predator-proof latches. Raccoons are remarkably strong and clever.

I'd worry about water intrusion on that nestbox gap. Top-hinged nests are prone to water intrusion anyway and that gap isn't protected from blowing rain.

As for ventilation, your 5 chickens will need a minimum of 5 square feet of permanent, 24/7/365 ventilation -- vents that are never closed summer or winter, rain or shine, wind or snow. This is best located above the birds' heads when they're sitting on their roost.

I know that I have enough ventilation if the coop is the same temperature inside as out on a warm, sunny day.

 

[aart]

The coop has a ridge vent so I was told it didn't need more ventilation?

Is there a ridge vent?
Pics from inside would help here.
These coops do not generally have enough ventilation.
Adding some on the eaves is the best solution, but it takes some carpentry tools and skills.