Silly question: how much weight could a racoon lift up?

[Willow's Meadow]

I have a barn that I plan to keep the chickens in. There were A LOT of loose boards and holes. We patched them all up with wood and nails! But I am still concerned that raccoons could get in

So I want to keep the chickens in an old VERY LARGE covered dog kennel at night. Its made out of wire and metal, has a door with latch. Could a racoon lift it up or open latch if it got in at night? Its not very light. I am going to drag the kennel into the barn. I could lock the latch.

 

[Willow's Meadow]

helloooo???

 

[Katy]

I've had pet coons and they are very adapt at figuring out and opening latches of all sorts. It's not so much how much weight they can lift, but what they can tear apart and reach into.

 

[Rafter 7 Paint Horses]

If the latch is one that just lifts up, YES, a coon could easily get it open.
They will spend a lot of time just fiddling with latches until they figure it out. Once they have mastered a certain kind of latch, I don't think they ever forget how to open it.

I figure if my Grandkids can open it, so can a coon!

Jean

 

[mxpres]

use padlocks and keep the key in your pocket