Starting over on coop - design recommendations?

[sonomacluck]

It's complete now, pics and story forthcoming. The ladies are 10X happier.

I have so many questions as well. Any and all feedback greatly appreciated on the article, will link here soon.

waiting on sis to take some better pics with her fancy camera.

TLDR: it was $1 per cubic foot, basic, predator proof (for Berkeley CA), and will last 15 years. Materials cost ~$700.

 

[sonomacluck]

Here are a few pics, when it was 90% complete. The last couple of wire cloth are tacked into place, in anticipation of laying box installation.



My 3 year old niece in last picture locked me into the coop twice. She's naughty.

 

[bruceha2000]

That will teach you to put an inside release in the coop!

Looks like nice work.

 

[aart]

That will teach you to put an inside release in the coop!

Indeed!
Get a different latch.

 

[bruceha2000]

Or a different niece

 

[sonomacluck]

It's just a string that you pull, I asked my sister several times to tie something to it so that no one can pull the string out of the coop.

 

[aart]

It's just a string that you pull, I asked my sister several times to tie something to it so that no one can pull the string out of the coop.

I would not trust those latches, or any other self locking latch, in a coop/run situation.
I use screen door springs on my doors for auto closing and manual latches with loops and caribineers for locking against preds.

 

[jreardon1918]

It's just a string that you pull, I asked my sister several times to tie something to it so that no one can pull the string out of the coop.

I have a similar latch. A chicken sitter got caught in the run this week when the clip came off the latch. She was able to call her husband to get her out. I will do something today to prevent another occurance like this.

 

[jreardon1918]

My temporary repair.

 

[aart]

My temporary repair. View attachment 1477658

See my post above.