So has anybody else's coop padlocks frozen up on them?

[Tala]

I'm a big believer in padlocks for my coop. Have had my share of two legged predators as well as raccoons that can figure out most latches. Except, a few days ago it rained 1.5" and then the temp dropped from 40*F to 20*F in about 3 hours ----- all my padlocks froze and I've been unable to get into my coop for days now. I've managed to keep water and lay pellets out, despite the problems, but there's a ton of frozen eggs in there that need collecting and fed to the dogs. I hate leaving them all piled up in there.

I've tried heating my key up with a lighter, that did get the key to turn but the lock still wouldn't release. I tried WD-40 on it yesterday, figured it might work coz that's what I had on hand. Thought about lighting it up with the lighter when it was full of WD-40 but I didn't want to explode it LOL
So today at WM I bought a can of "real" deicer spray to try. If that doesn't work and it doesn't thaw out really soon, I'm gonna find out how "cut resistant" those fancy boron alloy shackles really are!!! I'm really frustrated with all this

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

This might be a bad idea- but the way I thaw the shed door out enough to open it is to pour HOT water all over the entrance track. I bet if you just poured TONS of hot water all over it it would melt.

The trouble is, if it froze again, it might have lots of ice inside the lock, thanks to this plan.

 

[AtholCoop]

Happens all the time to padlocks here at work. Propane torch is the key. Gently heat the whole thing up being carefull not to light anything on fire. Short of that, if the key will turn but it won't unlatch use a hammer to give the lock body a smack in open direction give it a couple good smacks and try again. Sometimes you have to turn the key, and keep it turned while you smack it in that case watch that you don't smack your hand (yeah I've done that it hurts with cold hands)

 

[jssbcause]

If your idea dosen't work. Try submerging the locks in hot water refreshing the hot water untill they thaw, then hit them with your wd-40. Once you get them open take them inside and get them completly dried out.

Hope this helps!

 

[Tala]

Quote:
I did think of that. I'll hafta bring the hammer with me tomorrow!!

Yes I thought a propane torch would be a miracle!!! But the locks I bought have a silicone type coating on the outside. I'm sure that would burn nicely

I did think of the hot water too, however I dismissed that idea pretty quickly in favor of not getting my hands wet....

 

[blueberrychickens]

If you cant submerge the locks in hot h2o, maybe a blow dryer set on high would warm it up enough to melt the ice??? Worth a shot in my book.

 

[downhome]

you should never use wd40 on a lock!

at most 3 in one oil but not wd40 it will cause them to seize.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Quote:
No wonder I have been unable to fix the bathroom lock's stickiness by repeated apps of WD 40. Thanks! Now I know what to put on it.

Tala- be careful with those torches. I'm not a torch kinda girl- hot water just sounds so much safer!!!

Maybe you are a handy person, though.

 

[Harrietsmum]

Have you tried peeing on the lock? That is what the old timers always claimed to do!

 

[Tala]

Quote:
since it is a water displacer, and it burns better than gasoline, I was hoping it would be able to melt the ice into water and then displace it out of my lock

It's not like it can get any more seized up than it already is. Nothin to lose by trying it, in my opinion.

if 3 in 1 oil is so good (and it is) then how come it has disappeared from all the store shelves?? We should start up a black market for that stuff, coz it's impossible to find!