Poison a raccoon...the how to.

If you are squeamish about hurting animals which are trying to kill your chickens, stop here.

Ok. If you are still reading, I just started my little backyard flock this spring. Three chickens. We are down to one. A raccoon is the perp. I know, since I shot the first raccoon who was wandering away at dusk with my first chicken, before they had returned to to coop. The second chicken went missing. A real mystery. No gaps in the coop, he couldn't have gone underneath (concrete slab), but two chickens went into the coop that night, and only one came out the next morning (with a big pile of feathers, but no sign of my baby).

So rather than spend all night every night sitting with a shotgun across my lap, I spoke with my local feed store.

Here's the solution, which I am going to try tonight, since another raccoon is lurking about.

My chicken free-ranges when I am home during the day, and goes into her coop at night. Neighboring dogs are also indoors at night, so I think I can safely put this out at twilight, and cover it for the next night. Lots of warnings on the can, so it looks like rubber gloves are in order.

Results of this to come tomorrow, if I have a taker.


~~Possibly illegal content removed by Staff~~

I'd have to say I don't agree with using poison on any animal and to leave it out is rather dangerous to whatever else may eat it at night.

It does not take much for a racoon to figure out how to get in - most likely it is somewhere up high or if you have a run. Do your chickens go inside the coop at night and get locked in? Do you use hardware cloth or chicken wire? They can also open simple latches and are problem solvers.

If they are getting an entire chicken out of your set-up there is a breech somewhere that is just big enough for them to squeeze through and pull the chicken out. You would be surprised how narrow a space it can be. Raccoons look bigger than they really are.

Using poison ultimately won't solve your problem. It will kill the immediate animal but there is an endless supply in your area and another will fill the gap as long as your chicken buffet is available. Find the spot by watching how they do it, or post a dog to watch your coop, maybe set up a wildlife cam. Your set up is not as predator proof as you think, even though you covered all your bases. A hungry animal, that is flexible, smart, and determined has found the weak point. Best of luck to you - but please reconsider the poison thing. Thanks. -Susan

1) probably illegal in your area
2) very cruel and horrible way to die
3) as stated above, won't actually solve the problem
4) better chance of killing your neighbors pets and/or other unintended wildlife than actually getting the coon

Get a live trap and destroy the coon when you catch it. Stay up all night and shoot the perp. Above all, fix the loophole that's allowing them to get in.

I also do not agree with poison, as a means of predator control.

My method of predator control. Electric fencing around run and coop. Always, every day check the fence for proper operation. Expect to spend some time every week, maintaining your run and electric fencing.

I believe that the predators that attempt to get my chickens are only following their nature, they have no power of reasoning. They simply following their instinct to survive. I do not intend on punishing the animals for their natural instinct, instead I protect my flock from their predations.

Please make sure your methods of disposal are legal.

Most places leaving poison out where it can be consumed by domestic pets can have serious consequences.

BYC doesn't condone illegal acts or advice.