Is this enough security?

[JosieMae]

Hi there!

Just wondering, is this enough security against raccoons??

My chickens don't free range and are kept in a large covered, hardwire run with a raised coop connecting to it. The doors have three locks. All three have carabiners, and then you have to turn the knobs so the doors can open. Overall to open the doors it takes 3 steps.

Do you think this is enough?
Thanks!

 

[Pork Pie]

I have no experience with them, but this article from the learning centre may be interesting - https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...ow-to-protect-your-chickens-from-coons.47709/

 

[duluthralphie]

Hi there!

Just wondering, is this enough security against raccoons??

My chickens don't free range and are kept in a large covered, hardwire run with a raised coop connecting to it. The doors have three locks. All three have carabiners, and then you have to turn the knobs so the doors can open. Overall to open the doors it takes 3 steps.

Do you think this is enough?
Thanks!

A picture is worth a thousand words...and would help us visualize what you have.

 

[BBQJOE]

Raccoons have hands.
Nothing is safe.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I agree a photo could really help. Even with photos it's hard to see everything but a good shot of the carabiner and lock system would really help. And enough to give us an idea of your coop/run. There is no telling what someone might see.

How big are the openings in they fencing material? Can a raccoon stick its hand through or a chicken stick its head out? Where do they roost? Next to the fence where something could grab them through the fence or inside a solid coop well away from the fence?

What do you have at the bottom to stop digging predators? If the ground is not level it doesn't take much of an opening for many different predators to squeeze through, not just raccoons. Raccoons and many others are mostly fur so they can get through very small openings.

How secure are your connections where you connect the wire to the coop or posts? The best materials in the world won't help if all the predator has to do is pull and it comes loose. Your materials, construction techniques,and workmanship all come into play.

Its' hard to say just how secure a lock is from a raccoon. They are intelligent, strong, and really good with their paws and teeth. I've used a carabiner/hasp system for years without a problem and I've trapped a lot of raccoons from that area. It's worked so far. But I don't know how well it has actually been tested. I don't know if a raccoon has actually set down and tried to work the lock. That's one of the problems with predator protection. If it is tested and it fails you generally know. If it is tested and actually worked you usually don't know. There is always the chance that the next one might be a bit luckier or a bit more clever.

The type of carabiner can make a difference too. Is it spring loaded or does it screw shut to lock it? If you are really concerned about it a padlock is about as safe as you can get but my carabiners are a lot more convenient as often as I go into the coop/run in a day.

 

[duluthralphie]

I agree a photo could really help. Even with photos it's hard to see everything but a good shot of the carabiner and lock system would really help. And enough to give us an idea of your coop/run. There is no telling what someone might see.

How big are the openings in they fencing material? Can a raccoon stick its hand through or a chicken stick its head out? Where do they roost? Next to the fence where something could grab them through the fence or inside a solid coop well away from the fence?

What do you have at the bottom to stop digging predators? If the ground is not level it doesn't take much of an opening for many different predators to squeeze through, not just raccoons. Raccoons and many others are mostly fur so they can get through very small openings.

How secure are your connections where you connect the wire to the coop or posts? The best materials in the world won't help if all the predator has to do is pull and it comes loose. Your materials, construction techniques,and workmanship all come into play.

Its' hard to say just how secure a lock is from a raccoon. They are intelligent, strong, and really good with their paws and teeth. I've used a carabiner/hasp system for years without a problem and I've trapped a lot of raccoons from that area. It's worked so far. But I don't know how well it has actually been tested. I don't know if a raccoon has actually set down and tried to work the lock. That's one of the problems with predator protection. If it is tested and it fails you generally know. If it is tested and actually worked you usually don't know. There is always the chance that the next one might be a bit luckier or a bit more clever.

The type of carabiner can make a difference too. Is it spring loaded or does it screw shut to lock it? If you are really concerned about it a padlock is about as safe as you can get but my carabiners are a lot more convenient as often as I go into the coop/run in a day.

Would it be safe to sum this up as " the only good raccoon is a dead Raccoon?"

They are they horrible on birds!

 

[Whiskersvtwin]

We just started with our chickens and after consulting with many of our farmer friends about security, I consolidated all of their advice into our run! Buried the poultry fence at the bottom of the fence, double the poultry fence for 3' from the bottom to keep the eager hands of the raccoons out, installed electric fence along the bottom board to shock the foxes attempting to dig, and raccoons, in addition to running a wire around the bottom of the top board on the fence incase someone gets ambitious and tries to climb the fence. I installed low wattage LED spots with motion sensors on either side of the run and for the attacks from the air, just ran lines across the top with aluminum foil pie plates (heard this works, but not sure) with warning messages directed to the hawks written on them by my 10 year old daughter. I'll be installing the security cams tomorrow!! LOL Chicken prison!

 

[RonP]

I have personally watched a fox jump over a 6 foot fence from a crouching position...

 

[CapricornFarm]

Chicken wire keeps chickens in but does not keep predators out. I would recommend welded wire on your fence. For sure lock them in the coop at night. Stray dogs can rip chicken wire apart in a heartbeat. Racoons too. I lost a whole bunch of POL pullets to a pack of three stray dogs. They killed every single one, ate none of them. What a waste!

 

[PirateGirl]

I have personally watched a fox jump over a 6 foot fence from a crouching position...

I have watched coyotes carefully navigate barbed wire fencing as well. Essentially springing right over the top in the end.