What kind of predator?

[aart]

Something tore the pop door open on my coop, pulling the wood latch (which was attached with a screw) out along with the eye screw on the secondary predator proof "lock". Wood latch was on the ground along with a large splinter of wood from the coop.

Do you have pics of the damage?

 

[Nat and Ana]

A small black bear has been spotted in our neighborhood, so I'm going to guess that has to be our perp. Mostly because my birds survived and I still can't imagine the strength to pull out the wood screws and eye screw. Chickens are still in my basement until I can properly lock the pop door. I'm even thinking of ways I can change the type of door... any ideas are welcome. Thanks!

 

[ChickenRelatedUserName]

If your pop door is manually operated, consider a door that swings instead of slides up and down. Then a clasp with a carabiner may be enough, especially if you take the time to frame the door. I realize the bear pulled screws right out, but a flush mounted door that swings out, and is well framed on the inside seems like it'd be pretty effective. Actually, you could keep it a sliding door and still add the internal framing with some sort of lock on the outside.

 

[Nat and Ana]

Thanks for the advice, I think you're right. The door swings down manually. I think the bear got leverage by pulling it forward because it's not flush mounted. When I added a hinged twist lock with carabiner it actually gives more when you pull on it and creates more space to pull the door out.
So yeah, flush mounting it would probably help. I have zero building skills or tools so I'm going to have to figure something out.

 

[Fishkeeper]

Chili powder is a decent bear deterrent unless they're determined. They don't like it up their sensitive noses, but chickens don't feel the heat at all.
And, again, electric fencing. That'll keep out a grizzly, let alone a black bear. You're going to have to be really careful, now that he knows there's food he'll probably be back. The good news is that black bears, unless they're females with cubs, aren't any danger to humans. They eat berries, tubers, bugs, and the occasional mouse or fish in the wild, no large prey.

 

[ChickenRelatedUserName]

Well, let's not get crazy. People may not be part of a black bear's primary diet, that doesn't mean that they are not dangerous. Do they generally run away when confronted? Sure, but that's not reason to assume that they always will.

 

[April’s Zoo]

If your pop door is manually operated, consider a door that swings instead of slides up and down. Then a clasp with a carabiner may be enough, especially if you take the time to frame the door. I realize the bear pulled screws right out, but a flush mounted door that swings out, and is well framed on the inside seems like it'd be pretty effective. Actually, you could keep it a sliding door and still add the internal framing with some sort of lock on the outside.

I can’t comment on the kind of door that’s best— I really don’t know.... *but* I can say that there’s one thing that will help no matter what kind of door you choose.... longer screws. If that means you’ve got to put an extra piece of wood inside to screw into then add the extra block of wood.....
I would use at least 3 inch screws, maybe even 3.5” to fasten the new latches on with..... make your life easier and get either star-drive or hex-head screws—they won’t strip as you drive them in like Phillips often do. And pilot holes help too, as long as you don’t make them too big (a lot of times it tells you right on the package what size bit to use for the pilot hole).

If a bear’s been seen in your area, then that seems like a very likely culprit. You said one had been “reported” in your area— have you called your dept. of natural resources or game and fish, or whatever it’s called where you are? It probably said who to call wherever you heard about the bear being nearby (news report?) it’s important that they get reports from everyone who has had an encounter with the bear, so they can better track it. They might also send someone to your property to look for bear sign.

Good luck.

 

[ChickenRelatedUserName]

Agreed on everything said above.

Also, none of use were born with carpentry skills. You learn by doing and get better each time. Good luck.

 

[April’s Zoo]

Also, none of use were born with carpentry skills. You learn by doing and get better each time. Good luck.

Very true!

 

[Fishkeeper]

I'll rephrase. They aren't any danger to rational humans. If you see a black bear in your backyard, don't go running out and try to chase it with a broom, but don't hide in your basement either. You can safely watch from a window, and you don't need to be worried about being outside with a black bear in the area as long as you have the sense to avoid it if you happen to see it.