Darn Opposable Thumbs of Raccoons

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darkmatter

darkmatter

Crowing
13 Years
Jul 10, 2009
2,173
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299
Been over 15 years with these "egg doors" to access the nest boxes without any problems. Looks like I'll be making better latches today. Darn Raccoons found a use for opposable thumbs. Well, I baited the trap with the remains to see what I can catch tonight for a dirtnap tomorrow.
36435_coonthumbs.jpg
 
This Morning Update: Trap was turned over, tripped and dragged a few feet, bait was mostly still inside with what could be pulled through the mesh was. The new latch reinforcements worked, no entry to the last two broody's on the nest boxes. One of the chicken run support posts had some disturbance at the top of the wire. (a stuffed toy tiger head was removed and on the ground). I suspect either the trap was fondled and tripped before attempted entry, or the Coon was just too big to enter in the first place. The pawprints left on the nest door yesterday in smeared egg/chicken juices was fairly large. A walk around the run yesterday found the remains of a broody's wing---that Coon was strong enough to pull a full grown hen out of the four X four inch egg door, carry her off, consume her and two dozen eggs/embryos and chicks. I may have a family of predators seeking midnight meals on my expense. I'll update this thread as the situation continues. ( I was so hoping to dirtnap a Coon this morning)
 
And the Saga continues: This morning, expecting the Masked Bandit to have tripped up, I found his accomplice instead.

36435_slyfox.jpg
 
I'm really surprized you caught him in a box trap, usually fox are to smart to enter one. Great job though. I'm having a predator problem myself. Caught 3 coon and one opossum this week. I been using sardines, marshmellows, and cantalope for bait. Will
 
Darkmatter, your posted pictures inspired me to look over my coop yesterday. I was shocked to see little tiny hand prints all over my doors. It was so subtle I almost missed it. I would have missed it if I hadn't been looking for it. I nearly had a heart attack until I realized that some raccoons have been testing my coop, but haven't been able to get in. I have a new coop built, but haven't gotten a chance to get the old timers into it, yet. As soon as I get back from vacation my flocks are being integrated. My old coop is not as strong as it once was, and in light of my newest discovery I realize I need to get the old girls into the newly built, tough-as-nails coop ASAP.

Thanks for reminding us to always be on the look out. Predators are always testing us whether we know it or not.
 

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