Raccoon proofing!

[chicky78]

I was just reading the forums and realized how crafty raccoons are! It's crazy! But anyways...I just got my 8 week olds out into the coop, which is an 8'x10' and about 1 foot off the ground. The door is enormous and we have a temporary latch on it (need to go to the hardware store!), but I am worried that perhaps this won't be enough? I know we have raccoons around here, we've seen them numerous times. I'm just wondering if the girls will be alright for tonight or if I should go out & do something to it just to be on the safe side? There are 2 large doors and the latches on both are about 5 feet off the ground...can a raccoon reach that height? also, we have windows about 8' up that latch and swing out, can raccoons access these heights?

 

[LaurelRidgeDreams]

Racoons are good climbers. Are your windows screened? I've read that 1/2 inch hardware cloth will not allow them to stick their crafty hands inside the coop and grab a chicken. Also, they probably have the skill of a three year old for opening things.

Did your chicks make it through the first night okay?

 

[elmo]

What are your latches like? The hook and eye kind are useless, I've read.

I use spring loaded latches (pictures on my BYC page) on the top and bottom of all the doors. And at night I use add a keyed padlock. I'm obsessive.

 

[CityChook]

Well, elmo, if you're obsessive, then I am too. I'm a firm believer in locks for night time. I use a keyed lock on both the pop door and human door every night when I close them up. Better safe than sorry -- it helps me sleep at night as we have a ton of urban raccoons...