Help! Too much "play" in my coop access doors, raccoon risk?

[InvertGang]

Hello!

I need some help in fixing my coop access doors. It has two doors that hinge down and are closed with a hasp.

My problem is that even with the hasp closed, there is too much "play" in the doors which I'm worried will allow raccoons or least weasels to get in:

The middle pulls away a couple inches.

Any ideas for how to fix this? I'm using a ratchet tie down strap around them for now but I don't want that to be my permanent solution.

Here's the frame of the coop so you can see what's around for attachment points.

Thank you!

 

[Wutthacluck]

Can you add a couple of latches?

 

[InvertGang]

Can you add a couple of latches?

I'm trying to think of where they could go. What piece of hardware do you mean when you say a latch?

 

[Wutthacluck]

I'm trying to think of where they could go. What piece of hardware do you mean when you say a latch?

Anything that will keep the door latched. Could be a slide-in lock, a latch that a clip or lock could go on, an eye hook. Just whatever you could use to secure it tightly.

 

[InvertGang]

Anything that will keep the door latched. Could be a slide-in lock, a latch that a clip or lock could go on, an eye hook. Just whatever you could use to secure it tightly.

One issue is that I'm hoping to hinge the top door too. I could add more latches around the outside edges of the doors, but I don't think there's a spot for me to put them on the inside edges.

 

[Ted Brown]

Whatever latch you chose should have a two step process to open, racoons have very dextrous claws, are persistent and strong.

 

[Sic]

A cheap easy fix takes two pieces of scrap wood and screws, I have a different orientation, but same concept. You'd want to attach one on the board you have above the two, then another attach to that with just enough screw tightening to be able to move it, not loose enough for a predator to move it. Make a cross, locking the doors down the center, the top board is movable out of the way - to completely horizontal to open both access doors at the same time.
Edit: You could, of course, use locking slide bolts instead of the turning top board. Just has to be at the same level of doors.

 

[InvertGang]

A cheap easy fix takes two pieces of scrap wood and screws, I have a different orientation, but same concept. You'd want to attach one vertical on the board you have between the two, then another attach to that with just enough screw tightening to be able to move it, not loose enough for a predator to move it.

So in this case the whole top plank pivots into place to block the doors? And the middle piece is used to get the spacing right?

Whatever latch you chose should have a two step process to open, racoons have very dextrous claws, are persistent and strong.

I used a threaded link thing like a locking carabinier on the hasp. I hear they're super crafty, especially in my area.

 

[Sic]

Yes

 

[Ted Brown]

I used a threaded link thing like a locking carabinier on the hasp. I hear they're super crafty, especially in my area.

They are called chainlinks, that is what I use.

Together with a hasp you are still under $10; much better than anything you can cobble together.