Now I have to LOCK the coop and run...

[fizzy]

I don't know about the homeless person -- could be the cause; could be coincidence.

But it's just SAD that we have to live like this. We've been broken into twice, and now have to live with an alarm system on the house, and padlocks on all the barns. It was an adjustment, but the peace of mind is worth it.

Wendy

 

[mudhen]

Wendy, what happened to your little chick in your avatar?

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

I have padlocks on mine, but have quit locking them now that the weather is wretchedly cold. After a couple of close calls with frozen locks I gave up. I almost broke the key off in one of the locks! How do you keep you padlocks from freezing?
Even when the weather is decent I have trouble with mine locking up. Something about being rained on and all that. They get real stiff and unmanageable. How do you keep yours working?

 

[crazychicken]

i used key word used to have to lock my coop and it was a pain. you see the neighbors little girl used to think it was funny to just come over and Play with the chickens after time after time again of looking out the window and seeing chickens lose in the yard we got a lock.
but then it did not stop there one day i forgot to lock it.

it was back when i had a broody for a day. i had gone in to get some food when i came out i saw them playing with my broody. and well my roo did not seem to like them messing with his hormonal hen so he um chased them around the yard he did not attack but oh i sat there laughing at them run from the roo. he is very sweet and has not attacked anyone. but i can still see them running from my roo yelling at him to stop. i said no bad roo stop bad then went into the house to get more feed never had another problem no more locks.

 

[Verboten]

Quote:
This summer I bought a set of master-lock padlocks from lowes and have been having problems with them (they are "contractor duty" or something like that). Mine are out in the rain and all started to be difficult to close after a couple months - some used several times a day, some a couple times a month. I used some silicone spray on one and it is doing much better (works like the lock I paid for) and will do it to the others soon.

Whatever you use make sure that it is a dry lubricant (graphite is-but I didn't use it because the lock could get wet), something like oil or WD-40 will gather dirt inside the lock. If your locks were malfunctioning before the cold maybe that could do the trick. Other than that, maybe a few seconds with a small propane torch/lighter would work if it is frozen or maybe a locksmith in your area could have a lock deicing product.

Best of luck to you.

 

[Emzyyy]

Quote:
Couldn't you hide the key out by the coop under a rock or something?

 

[Emzyyy]

...and our neighbor had to lock his coop, I haven't had that issue yet. I don't think the person stealing them wants bantams, and they only steal roosters which is suspicious.

 

[chicken_angler]

I have an 18 year old stealing eggs from my coop. We are going to be locking it up real soon! What a sad world

 

[Leah-yes I know I'm crazy]

Quote:
This summer I bought a set of master-lock padlocks from lowes and have been having problems with them (they are "contractor duty" or something like that). Mine are out in the rain and all started to be difficult to close after a couple months - some used several times a day, some a couple times a month. I used some silicone spray on one and it is doing much better (works like the lock I paid for) and will do it to the others soon.

Whatever you use make sure that it is a dry lubricant (graphite is-but I didn't use it because the lock could get wet), something like oil or WD-40 will gather dirt inside the lock. If your locks were malfunctioning before the cold maybe that could do the trick. Other than that, maybe a few seconds with a small propane torch/lighter would work if it is frozen or maybe a locksmith in your area could have a lock deicing product.

Best of luck to you.

I have a flap of rubber stapled just above the padlocks to keep the moisture out. That's on my sheds not my coop but would work. I have dogs for the coop.

 

[Nifty-Chicken]

grrr... the whole stealing thing + chickens just makes me mad! I swear, if I ever saw anybody breaking into a house or car or coop I'd go bonkers.