I have an automatic coop door that failed me during a massive storm last night, and lost my sweetest hen to a raccoon. She was guarding a clutch of eggs at ground level near the door, and I'm pretty sure she growled and tried to scare off the raccoon when it came in. She was the best momma hen I've had, was the leader of the flock, and never let any harm come to her girls. As upset as I am about it, I know she won't be there next time to defend the flock, and I learned the hard way I can't rely on the automatic door 100% of the time.
Does anyone have any sure-fire methods to get rid of raccoons? I live in a city and have a dog, so my options are limited. Also, the neighbor's cats hunt mice in my yard at night. With how common rabies is around here, I'll probably be better off dispatching any that I catch, which is what animal control does (.22 cal pellet gun maybe?). I read somewhere about a style of trap called a "dog proof racoon trap"--are these worth it? Are some brands better than others? Does trapping really make a difference, or do they just repopulate?
I need to be able to go out of town on occasion, and I won't always be here to chase off a raccoon before it devours the entire flock.
Does anyone have any sure-fire methods to get rid of raccoons? I live in a city and have a dog, so my options are limited. Also, the neighbor's cats hunt mice in my yard at night. With how common rabies is around here, I'll probably be better off dispatching any that I catch, which is what animal control does (.22 cal pellet gun maybe?). I read somewhere about a style of trap called a "dog proof racoon trap"--are these worth it? Are some brands better than others? Does trapping really make a difference, or do they just repopulate?
I need to be able to go out of town on occasion, and I won't always be here to chase off a raccoon before it devours the entire flock.