Reddit mentions: The best gate latches

you could get an automatic coop door:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TONTHRG/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

We have a coop run that is highly secured, and a main coop that is also secured. We close the coop run manually, and the main coop house closes automatically. All it took was closing the girls in the main coop run then letting themselves get locked out overnight a few times for them to learn to get in the house. Now we have gone down after dark more than once and all the girls are in the house and the door closed.

you would need to secure the main run area better to use our approach though. Our run is enclosed on all sides (including bottom) with 1/2" hardware cloth. Right next to the main house door (where the girls tend to sit if they get locked out) is #8 mesh. All mesh is secured between pieces of cedar framing with screws running through the cedar and the mesh.

We use the slide type doors which I feel are more secure than other options. one I made myself with diamond plate aluminum (if you can get flat aluminum I recommend it) that slides between rails of flat bar aluminum that have a gap created by washers. You can also buy a very similar design if you want to:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018KIVUC0/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1


The biggest thing you need to do to secure your coop/run area is enclose the entire thing in hardware cloth. It needs to be the small 1/2" hardware cloth like here: https://www.amazon.com/Hardware-Galvanized-Chicken-Supports-Poultry/dp/B015PD9F52/ref=sr_1_1?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1499439834&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=hardware+cloth&psc=1.

When I say enclose, I mean fully enclose on all sides including top and bottom. The cloth must be screwed/anchored in place (not just stapled). If you use larger cloth then animals such as racoons can reach through and grab the chickens. You should include the house in the enclosure. If you do not secure the bottom then they will just dig under and in.

I've had animals try and fail to get into my coop. I came out one day to find blood all over one side of the coop where an animal had tried to scratch its way in and lost claws. I also have come out to find that animals had tried to dig under the coop only to find hardware cloth there as well. you MAY be able to get away with just putting a hardware cloth skirt a few feet out from the coop but I prefer to just have the floor be hardware cloth.

Finally, all latches that allow us to get into the coop are safety latches since racoons can figure out normal latches. we mostly use hook and eyes like these (I use stainless though): https://www.amazon.com/Zinc-Plated-Wire-Safety-4-Pack/dp/B01LYNKFIL/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1499440049&sr=1-1&keywords=hook+and+eye+safety+latch

Though our main coop door does have this sort of latch (which we intend to add a padlock to if there are signs of animals getting in through it): https://www.amazon.com/Stanley-National-Hardware-CD1271-Sliding/dp/B009YNW3QS/ref=sr_1_12?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1499440093&sr=1-12&keywords=gate+latch+lock

This is what I installed on my back gate to the alley:

Keystone Black Zinc Diecast Metal Key Lockable Latch | 2-Sided | Keyed Alike | KLADV-M2-BK-KA https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01K7YIMMQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Vkf5CbXTM2S1C

I feel like all the double sided locking gate options suck and are more expensive than you’d expect. Overall I am happy with how it works but it does get stuck in the winter when water freezes in the lock cylinder. I might try covering it with a flap or something to prevent that this year.

I’ll be interested if there are better options someone else suggests. I have heard of just using a standard deadbolt lock but that doesn’t incorporate a latch to catch the gate when it closes. I have dogs so on the off chance I forget to lock it, I wouldn’t want it free swinging.

I was thinking of something like that for locking it in place. The inspiration was even the same - the cam locking fence on my tablesaw, but I wouldn't find anything that was small enough, and the fact that anything I found would have to be drilled into the edge of plywood made me nervous about the idea.

I did also think about having something that was flush with the bottom of the french cleat, and rotated out like a sliding latch, but again I just found size to be an issue, along with attaching to the bottom edge of plywood. Some of the things I thought about using:

https://smile.amazon.com/Alise-Rotate-Latches-MS220U-Brushed/dp/B01N1PNTEW/ref=sr_1_9?keywords=sliding+lock&qid=1554823301&s=gateway&sr=8-9

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XZ6LV2Z/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_3?smid=A1COAUT1Y8EGRY&psc=1

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DRBB8P4/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_2?smid=A4IGQ3LQP26MX&psc=1

Both of the "latches", I wouldn't use the part that goes on the other side. I think the little figure 8 fastener with maybe an insert nut and a thumbscrew might be the simplest solution.

These are pretty sweet in that you can lock them from either side and open your gate from either side. (And leave unlocked.)

http://www.amazon.com/LokkLatch-Deluxe-Lockable-Technologies-LLDAB-KSA/dp/B00HISFU2U/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1458186552&sr=8-3&keywords=locking+gate+latch

Just do this and it will fit nicely with the SHITI sticker: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PZKZJ4R/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_aVhYDb5C55BQP

Good idea, I could probably use something like this, perhaps? Link

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01N1PNTEW/ref=pd_aw_sim_sbs_60_of_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=EAF13RD3FBATVTA5MVG1

Something like this will be easiest

You in the states?

https://www.homedepot.com/b/Hardware-Gate-Hardware/Gate-Latch-Slide-Bolt/N-5yc1vZc2f1Z1z0xd80

https://www.amazon.com/Alise-10-Inch-Padlock-Stainless-MS9200/dp/B074WNT3HT

Edit: those would be for interior. For exterior you’d want something like https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-3-in-Zinc-Plated-Double-Hinge-Safety-Hasp-15128/202033920

That is called a drop bar latch, and they usually come with a knob to shift the drop bar - rather than the lever. The pic you reference looks rough forged by hand.


Here is one with a different handle design: https://doorhardwareusa.com/cart/pf/photopop.php?p=40040#

This one has a smaller knob instead of a lever/handle: Iron Valley - 7.5" Gate Drop Bar w/Knob (Lever Latch) - Solid Cast Iron https://www.amazon.com/dp/B011DBSU9M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_a553CbHN9QRZ7

This Etsy shop hand forges: http://etsy.me/2eOiSQ8 and that design is interesting...

Yeah I installed one of these on the inside

https://www.amazon.com/Thicken-Stainless-Security-Privacy-Bathroom/dp/B07Q43HC1D/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=hook+lock&qid=1562267978&s=gateway&sr=8-5

You want a knob with a privacy lock on the inside of the bathroom and a hasp or latch on your side. Your brother WILL forget to unlock the door when leaving the bathroom, the privacy lock allows you to bypass it without breaking anything. You might already have one there.

Maybe something like this for your side? Somewhat less permanent than a deadbolt but will still keep someone from casually entering.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N1PNTEW

How about getting something like this, but instead of using the bar provided, just catch the fence wire in the latch?

Self-locking gate latch -- This amazon link even shows where the spring goes https://www.amazon.com/Self-Locking-Automatic-Gravity-Lever-Fence/dp/B07F8LRVB7

https://www.amazon.com/Keystone-Diecast-Lockable-2-Sided-KLADV-M2-BK-KA/dp/B01K7YIMMQ?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_2

We had this problem and a toddler as well. We went a lazier route—because, you know, who has tine for anything with a toddler? Nesha Antique Style Cabin Door... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BY0ZSCO?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

Hey man, I like the design but correct my if i am wrong here, shouldn't your diagonal bracing be going the other direction? The whole point of the brace is to take the cantilevered weight from the far end of the gate and transfer it down to the bottom hinge on the post and down to the ground.
It's highly likely this gate will sag over time.
I think if you are doing a tension brace you should use a threading adjustable tension rod. But you seem to be using wood as a tension brace when it should be used as a compression brace.


EDIT: In fact yes, i believe your bracing is backwards.


https://www.slidegate.net/what-is-the-right-way-to-brace-a-gate

https://www.fix.com/blog/wooden-gates-structure-and-design/

https://tp69.blog/2018/12/31/the-best-way-to-brace-a-wooden-door-or-gate/

https://www.amazon.com/Gate-Brace-No-Sag-Kit/dp/B00JYMGZJU