Who got in?

[Sueshoo]

Use child proof latches on your coops.Coons can open simple latches

Thank you I'll do that

 

[Sueshoo]

Do you have a wire apron buried around your cage? If so how far does it extend from the cage?

There is but only like 2 inches and only in some areas. Most of the coupe has a wire grid on the floor so they can't get in there but the area where their feed is doesn't and that's where they are digging & getting in. I need to see what materials are available and fix that bc now I see rat droppings in their netting area. Thanks

 

[Sueshoo]

Yes it was tied with a rope but just a simple knot!

That's the main gate, then the gate to coup is closed with a turn latch but they dug under

 

[FunClucks]

Use child proof latches on your coops.Coons can open simple latches

I use Tri-act-lock caribeaners. $23 each. Most expensive door lock ever. No one but humans will be getting through that. Totally overkill, but I will NOT have my coop decimated by a racoon!

 

[ABQ chicken keeper]

There is but only like 2 inches and only in some areas. Most of the coupe has a wire grid on the floor so they can't get in there but the area where their feed is doesn't and that's where they are digging & getting in. I need to see what materials are available and fix that bc now I see rat droppings in their netting area. Thanks

Sue,
Can you post pic's of the area's being dug up?

 

[Vickischics]

I walked up to the coup to find feathers everywhere. All chickens are present but something dug underneath the coup and I assume got in. I suspect some eggs missing, the feathers belonged to Me Rooster. I gate was open too! What could this have been?

Raccoon. They can open gates and simple locks. They also like to cause feather havoc but, thank God Mr. Rooster won that battle. But, he'll be back. Set traps and catch that bugger. I just trapped a 45lber! He was heavy and Big!!! He's no longer able to kill my girls again.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I just trapped a 45lber! He was heavy and Big!!!

Wow! Fatty boombalatty!

 

[McChooky]

I use hasp latches & simple carabiners like you'd use for a car key
Better set some traps because whatever it is will be back.If you can move your chickens to a more secure area until you can improve security .Coons will kill every chicken in the pen if you get more than one.It'll probably bring back its family next time.Good luck!

 

[FunClucks]

I use hasp latches & simple carabiners like you'd use for a car key
Better set some traps because whatever it is will be back.If you can move your chickens to a more secure area until you can improve security .Coons will kill every chicken in the pen if you get more than one.It'll probably bring back its family next time.Good luck!

Here's the triact-lock carabiners I use. I'm overdoing it, and I know it, but it gives me peace of mind. No raccoon has gotten into my coops! (Sometimes the kids have trouble too. ) I, on the other hand, can open these guys one-handed in no time flat.

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

I use a bolt action door latch and carabiner combo. If a coon can open that then it’s smart enough to do trigonometry.