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So my coop design was basically a raccoon welcome mat | Backyard Chicken Keepers - Librear

So my coop design was basically a raccoon welcome mat

I built my coop two years ago with a simple latch on the main door, thinking it was enough. Last Tuesday night around 2 AM, I heard a huge crash and squawking from the run. I ran out with a flashlight and saw a big raccoon just staring at me from on top of the coop, its paws right near the door. The latch was still closed, but I realized it was just a basic hook and eye, the kind you can easily lift with fingers. That raccoon could have opened it in a second if it had tried the door instead of climbing. I felt so stupid. I spent all the next day at the hardware store in Bellingham replacing every latch with heavy duty carabiner clips and adding a second bolt lock. I was so focused on keeping them warm and fed that I totally overlooked the most basic security. Has anyone else had a close call that made you completely redo a part of your setup?

3 comments

3 Comments

ryan_kim635mo ago

Oh man, that's a scary wake up call! Those basic hook latches are basically just for keeping a door closed in the wind, not for real security. I actually learned the hard way that raccoons can work simple bolts too, not just hooks. I had to switch to those locking carabiner clips on everything, and I even added a cheap motion light. It's crazy how clever those bandits are.

david_martin5mo ago

Glad you upgraded, those hook latches are basically just suggestions for raccoons lol.

anthonykim3mo ago

ryan_kim63 I get what you're saying, but locking carabiner clips aren't a sure thing either. Raccoons can actually work some of those too if they're not the screw-lock kind. @david_martin is right that hook latches are useless, but you gotta go with a latch that needs two hands or a tool to open.