Raccoons here

[arrowti]

I don't live at home anymore. My dad said he got home late (unexpectedly) last night. It was after dark. He saw a raccoon exit the chicken coop and disappear. All birds accounted for and uninjured.

Today I'm home for holidays and just decided to shine a flashlight out like I used to. Saw some eyes and saw two raccoons come out from under the coop and go into the trees. My dad went out with his rifle but they were gone by then.

I want them either gone for good or dead. What have you found are the best traps to use? I have outdoor cats so I'd prefer a live trap which we could dispose of later. Additionally, what would you consider the best kind of bait?

The frost has uplifted and damaged the fence which, unfortunately, happens every year...

(Side note: one of the hens disappeared three weeks ago. no signs of predation but I guess if she was alive she probably isn't anymore.)

 

[Woytgirl]

I use a “have a heart” trap to catch the pesky ground hogs in my yard and then I relocate them. I’ve accidentally caught a raccoon in the trap before, and that was when I had used sardines for bait.

 

[Folly's place]

Make sure that your coop (and run if possible) are predator proof, and only have food inside it. then live traps with marshmallows or fruit will likely catch your raccoons. Only trap them if you then relocate them underground!!! Corn or chicken feed works for them too.
A 22g will easily kill one in a live trap humanely.
Mary

 

[Rhodeislandsilkie]

I wouldn’t kill them. That’s kind of cruel. I agree with @Woytgirl. Just catch them in one of those cage traps. Then, set them free far away from your land. Good luck!

 

[Chicken_girl33]

I agree, when we had bobcat problems the “have a heart” trap worked really well. I recommend using tuna fish as bait as we have caught a few raccoons before on accident. Hope it goes well! ​

 

[imnukensc]

It's illegal to catch and relocate coons. Shoot'em in the trap and dispose of them. @Folly's place ---just an FYI---there is no 22g. I think you mean a .22

 

[Folly's place]

Most states have laws against relocating wildlife, for good reasons. Raccoons and other critters can be moved to another spot on the same land, or to private land within the same county, with landowner permission. That's the law in Michigan. Look up your local regulations in your state!
A predator, once trapped, won't get into the same situation again. He will, however, travel miles to get home, knows how to get chickens, and will have a very bad time in other's territory. He will also spread whatever diseases he may carry INCLUDING RABIES and CANINE DISTEMPER.
Again, only trap if you will then shoot.
Mary

 

[Compost King]

I will not tell anyone what to do in their situation or infringe on their values but I will share why I never relocate raccoons. They are highly likely to spread rabies and the relocation of raccoons has been known to widen the area of a rabies outbreak.

 

[arrowti]

I wouldn't want to relocate and risk having them slaughter someone else's chickens. I don't enjoy the thought of killing animals but if they don't leave on their own that's the only option to protect my ducks and chickens. The coops are safe, can't say so much about the run given the condition of the fence and the frozen ground.

Thanks for the advice! Will try to get a live trap tomorrow if places are open!

 

[Folly's place]

Since we rebuilt our coop/ run combination, and ceased feeding outside, very seldom do we have issues with local wildlife. I feed wild birds very intermittently, away from chicken areas, which also helps.
Not having to trap and eliminate critters is definitely best!
Mary