To Lock Or Not To Lock: this is the question

[Dewin dwl]

Does a pophole slide need to be locked shut?

I am considering fitting an automatic pophole opener/closer. This means when closed the only thing holding the pophole door closed is gravity. Is this sufficient?

[Flummery]

As long as the run is fox proof yes. I don't lock ours - the auto pop-hole opener works like magic - but there's no chance that a fox could try scratching it up in our case. I'd be interested to know what others think.

[lynda66]

i used to just leave mine open all the time ..... though there was no chance of drafts where their perch is, .... they always got up before me, and made a hell of a racket lol ... the run is completely fox proof.

[vicky]

Mine has a sort of slot round the edges and at the base so it's quite difficult to move once it's down. But it's only gravity holding it there. You could use a fairly heavy tile (there's a weight limit on the instructions but it's quite a lot) if you're worried.

And welcome to the vine!

[chris]

Only thing holding mine down (door made out of three slats of wood overlapping - not the best, but it's all I've got at the moment) is gravity - it's pretty tight fitting too.

I've also a mesh tunnel from pophole to run though, so I think that's pretty secure...

[jessmorris]

Ive used an automatic door for the pophole since Feb2009 and not had any probs with vermin yet...fingers crossed...

[Snadger]

I had a few sneaky rats last year.

Sat in the coop with an air rifle aimed at the pophole. Rats are sillouetted in the opening and dispatched with ease!

[MrsC]

My run is also fox proof. I have the fox sat there most nights staring in for the past 12 months. Thought I was ok, bu check out my post on a 'stoat attack' I never thought of that. It wasn't nice, maybe a fox can't get in but these buggars are nasty! Just a thought!