Plexiglass pop door REALLY raccoon proof?

[All Ball]

Hi folks -

I am a nervous newbie chicken owner and just want to confirm again - although I've read it in posts - that people think this pop door approach will be raccoon-proof:

Right now I am locking up the pullets each night in the coop, but I'm hoping to transition to using an automatic door so I can go out once in a while! I've created a guillotine-style plexiglass pop door, which is on the outside of the coop so the chickens wouldn't mess with the motor stuff once I install that piece.

The door is in wood rails and I screwed on a wood lip that it lands behind. Right now, I'm using a cord to raise/lower it.

THE PROBLEM: I can easily raise the door from the outside by putting the heel of my hand against it and pushing up. Wouldn't a raccon be able to figure out how to do that? Folks have seemed to say that they won't be able to get in as long as there isn't an edge they can grasp - which there isn't.

Perhaps I need to add a frame on top to hide the top edge of the door? Or use a solid piece of metal - such as a car antenna - between the motor and the door so it can't be pushed up?

I would LOVE to hear peoples' thoughts about this so I don't make a horrible mistake.

Thanks so much!!

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I wouldn't trust it...I would make your adjustments as you stated.

 

[All Ball]

Thanks - good to hear someone else shares my concern - I will plan for those 2 alterations.

 

[Younger]

Is your run enclosed? I would always air on the side of safe but if your run is totally enclosed how would the racoon get in to the door of your coop?
Just asking because I had thought to leave my coop door open so they can come and go, my run is totally enclosed with 1" hardware cloth.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Is your run enclosed? I would always air on the side of safe but if your run is totally enclosed how would the racoon get in to the door of your coop?
Just asking because I had thought to leave my coop door open so they can come and go, my run is totally enclosed with 1" hardware cloth.

If you have a Fort Knox run where you have a hardware cloth apron or buried hardware cloth all the way around, and the top covered with hardware cloth, etc. (basically hardware cloth everywhere), then you can probably

get by with not closing your pop door. Dogs can dig under pretty fast and enter the coop if you don't. Also rats can dig all kinds of horrible holes and they kill chickens.

So it depends on how gung-ho you want to get.

I have a shed coop and an auto door opener, with just plain field fence for a run. I have had a dog or coyote - I am not sure which one- dig under my fencing before but I found it in the morning and fixed it.

 

[Baymule]

Raccoons have all night long to figure out how to get to all that chicken dinner. They have hands just like yours, if you can do it, it's practically a sure bet they can too.

 

[thomasboyle]

Consider weighting the door to make it much heavier. This will eliminate what little grip you might be able to get using pressure alone. As long as there is no way to get their claws under the door, you should be better secured than before. But no door is truly raccoon proof. I saw a youtube video of a coon opening a car garage door!

Nothing is truly raccoon proof!

 

[aart]

Some kind of lock for the slider would be good.

Try this: advanced search>titles only> pop door locks

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Consider weighting the door to make it much heavier. This will eliminate what little grip you might be able to get using pressure alone. As long as there is no way to get their claws under the door, you should be better secured than before. But no door is truly raccoon proof. I saw a youtube video of a coon opening a car garage door!

Nothing is truly raccoon proof!

Wow that is amazing!

 

[Hokum Coco]

Not knowing your climate I somewhat disagree with the rails mounted on the outside of your coop. However I live in Canada where winter makes it presents know 6 months of the year. I take it you do not have that as an issue.