Racoon Proof

[Ted Brown]

This post cost me $80 and several hours

Your conscience and concern for predator protection cost you the $80. This thread just nudged you along the way of where to spend it. Good "man"!

 

[aart]

Inside all soffits and gables and windows are getting 1/2x1/2 mesh.

Good job!
Pics from outside, please?

 

[tsperry88]

I built it like a pole barn, to get ventilation on the gables. Still have to fasten the outer edges.

 

[ChicMomof10]

Is this latch good enough for the man door?

Yes, we use it too. Be careful not to get locked inside. It needs a way to prevent closing behind you.

 

[blackdog043]

Is this latch good enough for the man door?

Yes that will work. I use two of them on my run entrance door, one high and one low, for extra protection. My coop and run are open 24/7. I have a regular door knob on the coop door.

 

[aart]

Is this latch good enough for the man door?

Yes, we use it too. Be careful not to get locked inside. It needs a way to prevent closing behind you.

I don't think that latch is automatic..so should be 'safe'.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

One of the first predators I saw when I moved into the current property was a weasel. I haven't seen one since, but I'm sure it's still lurking about. It's better to go to the expense of predator proofing your coop and run, then suffer losses because were trying to cut costs. Just a suggestion, but putting a spring on your run door so it closes behind you automatically is helpful in keeping the chickens in. Best of luck with your flock.

 

[tsperry88]

I did put one of those screen door closer things on it. $10 from lowes. I really like it.

 

[Dan nich]

They aren't likely to reach the soffit or gables like a raccoon could.
I don't know where you are located but weasels are pretty well everywhere in the world.
I'm in my 60s and grew up on two different farms with lots of chickens, pheasant, cattle, hogs and other animals. I had never seen mink in my life until Walmart built a store down the hill from my house and in the process, cutting 80 acres of woods along a creek which then sent the mink up to me. In the course of a week, they killed $4,000 worth of my birds squeezing into the tiniest crack and killing every bird in the house each night.
Mink came close to driving me out of the chicken business all together. I spent a week burning chicken carcasses.

Walmart a crap hole and should be boycotted by any freedom loving American,

 

[Dan nich]

My wife and I smoke in the basement of our house and that is where the rabbits/ chicks are kept also, she watched a baby weasel come through a 1.5 in gap at base of door yesterday, never seen one till Amish Mennonite a cut hay a couple days ago now hawks,vultures and other animals are lurking bet they won’t like it when my chickens suffer and I take a bunch of theirs in place! But today I buy rat traps glue and a cage and fortitify my outdoor coop