Raccoon-proof latches?

[NeuseWorks]

I've been using clips like the ones in the picture below. That way I don't have to keep track of the key to the lock. They are available at almost all hardware stores in brass and boat stores have them in bronze. Both help prevent rusting.

 

[ozark hen]

Hi Chris, nice site you have there. Wish I had seen it a year ago before I got my compost tumbler. Nice rain barrels you have there.

 

[Chirpy]

NeuseWorks - that is what I was using until a long time chicken keeper told me that a raccoon had actually opened that with his nimble little fingers!

I also talked with a guy that had a coon reach into a small opening next to a window, squeeze the fastener together (it was on a spring) and open the window! Raccoons are sooo smart and very tenatious.

It's padlocks for me since we have lots of coons around here. (I've already had their muddy little paw prints going up the side of my hen house and onto the window sill!!!)

 

[Mark]

What about keeping the latch high? It is my understanding that raccoons are not good at jumping up. They are good climbers, and can jump down, but can't get much lift when 'jumping up.' So, make it impossible for the raccoon to
1. climb the door,
2. pry open the door from the bottom
3. and keep the latch 4 feet high,

and they can't get in.

This is just a theory....

 

[silkiechicken]

If stray two legged variety of predator get any worse here, might have to get those padlocks and a paint ball gun to give them a good marking/warning shot.

I just use the drop down latch type and put a lock in thoes.

 

[Nifty-Chicken]

Wow... ya'll are hard core about locks on your coops. I'm just too lazy to use an actual lock every morning and night. I've got some good latches and strong amazingly strong magnets (from inside hard drives) that have been working ok for me thus far.

Funniest thing I read on the forums when I first got my chickens was to use a combo pad lock since coons were so clever with other latches... then it said, "use a combination and store it the house... they are clever little devils."

 

[Godiva]

We use carabiners on all our stuff - is this too easy for those clever fingered chicken scoffing bandits? It is too hard for my kids but ....

 

[Chirpy]

Using a carabiner sounds like a great idea! Has anyone used those with raccoons around? Specifically has anyone had a raccoon or other predator get through a carabiner?