Leaving 10 week old chickens

[Azure Blue]

I am leaving for a few weeks in the winter when my chickens will be
about 10 weeks old. I live in a colder climate and I don’t anticipate their coop being ready for them. I have a friend who is going to take care of them. My plan is to keep them inside some type of crate in the 3 seasons room with a heat source. They will have access to a free roaming inside the 3 seasons room during the day and if she wants, supervised time outside. Can a raccoon or other predator open a screen door? How much predator proofing should I be doing for this room and the crate? I have the ability to close the windows and the door is more like a storm door with glass and screen and a push button handle.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Please post a picture of the room and door, and I would think yes, a raccoon can probably open a screen door with a simple latch or tear through the screen.

 

[bill3607]

They can, and will, tear through screen.

 

[Azure Blue]

Please post a picture of the room and door, and I would think yes, a raccoon can probably open a screen door with a simple latch or tear through the screen.

 

[Azure Blue]

The windows can be fully shut. The door is glass. I think my main concern is the push handle?

 

[bill3607]

The windows can be fully shut. The door is glass. I think my main concern is the push handle?

Normally, those type of storm doors have a lock on the inside handle. It could still be opened but have to be pulled really hard. Raccoons are slick but I don’t think they could open it if locked. Does yours have a lock?

 

[WingItRanch]

That looks pretty secure. Just a thought. You could put a bungee cord around the door handle and attach it somewhere on the wall next to the door. That way if a racoon attempts to pull, it would provide resistance but your pet sitter could easily unclip it.

 

[FrostRanger]

I also don't think a heat source will be necessary. At 10 weeks old they can handle anything the adults can. I'd only start getting concerned if things dip below -10. If anything, sudden temperature changes such as going from a warm coop or barn to a significantly colder outside is worse than just being in a colder environment to begin with

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Generally it's thought that if a 3-yo child can't open it, a raccoon can't. The animal would have to have opposable thumbs to open that, and they don't; and he'd also have to be able to figure it out which I don't think he could. Press thumbkatch while pulling? Not likely. But it better be properly secured.

 

[Azure Blue]

Ok, thanks! I do have a lock on the inside so I will be using that!