Predator proof?

[misshell]

How confident should I feel about these locks? Someone who rents our cottage in the back said he saw a raccoon by the coop last night. My chicks are only 5 and a half weeks old. Worried to leave them now.

 

[mowin]

Lot better than just a eye and hook. Never used the ones with a locking mechanism.
If you're not sure, get something that you can secure with a carabineer.

 

[misshell]

Great idea. Thank you!

 

[cmom]

How confident should I feel about these locks? Someone who rents our cottage in the back said he saw a raccoon by the coop last night. My chicks are only 5 and a half weeks old. Worried to leave them now.

I use the hook and eye latches with spring locks. I had regular hook and eyes but a few times they came unlatched so now I have them with the spring locks and all has been good.

 

[locoyosh]

We've been using that kind of lock (hook and eye with spring locks) for 5 years now on the coop with no issues. Our 5 year old daughter can't open or close them herself so we figure the coons can't either.

 

[BennieAnTheJets]

Coons are amazingly dexterous

I have carabiner hooks and also pad locks with keys on all my doors. Haven't see a coon unlock a padlock yet. Better safe than sorry. Racoons kill the entire flock when they get in.

You can get pad locks with 2 keys each at the hardware store and I keep one key on my house key set and one key on my coop key set that way I always have one handy.

The locks you show look easy to open by a coon to me. They just need to fiddle with them long enough to unlock them and if they have done it before they will remember and get in there in no time.

 

[Folly's place]

I would also upgrade, and sleep better at night. And how well is your hardware cloth attached? That too can be a problem.
Raccoons, and big dogs, both miserable at the coop! If you have bears, you need electric fencing too!
Mary

 

[misshell]

Coons are amazingly dexterous

I have carabiner hooks and also pad locks with keys on all my doors. Haven't see a coon unlock a padlock yet. Better safe than sorry. Racoons kill the entire flock when they get in.

You can get pad locks with 2 keys each at the hardware store and I keep one key on my house key set and one key on my coop key set that way I always have one handy.

The locks you show look easy to open by a coon to me. They just need to fiddle with them long enough to unlock them and if they have done it before they will remember and get in there in no time.

Thank you, I actually just ordered some carabiner hooks with locks today.

 

[misshell]

I would also upgrade, and sleep better at night. And how well is your hardware cloth attached? That too can be a problem.
Raccoons, and big dogs, both miserable at the coop! If you have bears, you need electric fencing too!
Mary

There is double. Hardware cloth and a thicker wire also. I cant remember what its called, but they are only around the run. The coop is well ventilated with two windows patched with hardwire cloth and plastic window covers that can close during the night and when the weather is cooler. And thankfully, we do not have to worry about bears!

 

[misshell]

Also, the doors are a bit lopsided, so you have to push them up to actually open them once they are unlocked..