2 hens killed by racoon

[laruec]

Hello, I have 8 hens, and 2 were killed by a racoon this afternoon- in daylight.
I heard my hens out in the pen squaking, and went to see what was the matter. A racoon was standing in the pen, just looking at me. Feeling pretty freaked out, I went to the neighbor for help (DH is away), and when we came back the racoon had killed one of my buffs. I went inside and got a 22, feeling afraid that the coon might have rabies (why didn't it run??). When I came back out it had killed my australorpe. Neighbor killed racoon for me with the 22 (sad, but I think necessary). Anyways, the coon and birds are removed from the pen (think I have to take them to get tested). I shoveled out the dirt with blood on it, and washed down the area with water (it was just in the dirt in the pen, not in the coop).

My questions: do I need to do anything else about the situation? I'm under the impression that my hens will be ok= the other 6 were not bit, and aren't mammals anyway.

What about the pen itself? Should it be ok/

Pretty worried= please respond if you can help!

 

[M To The Maxx]

Seems to me like you are doing everything right.

 

[Country4ever]

Sorry for your loss.
I had 2 hens killed by a coon this past June. You're right.......only mammals can get rabies.
Just be careful handling the dead hens and coon and wear gloves.
I'm not sure it had rabies just because it didn't run.
When it attacked the hens in my run, it was near the top of the fencing and I didn't even see it for awhile. I think they sort of freeze sometimes.

 

[GreenGoddess]

Sorry for your loss.. You need to contact animal control asap and let them know about a possibly rabid raccoon in the area.. Raccoons that are nocturnal animals and will not come out in the daylight unless there is something wrong...

Goddess

 

[wildorchid053]

i had one enter my house once through a hole in a screen door.. not rabid .. just use to people.. it ate out of my kitty dish ,then walked back out the way it came in.. vet told me to bleach dishes and area where it was and it would be fine..

 

[SallyF]

It amazes me sometimes that professionals can be so casual about rabies. I was visiting my in-laws near Columbus Ohio once; they live in a very wooded subdivision. A raccoon was out in broad daylight staggering around the house and yard. We called animal control and were told that "Ohio doesn't have a problem with rabies" and that the animal was probably just old, so they didn't do anything about it. We were very impressed...NOT!!!!

 

[PunkinPeep]

So sorry for your loss.

I relate all too well.

I have noticed that the raccoons in my area are getting very bold. And i agree with wildorchid...i think it's because they're semi-tame ...used to people being around.

I hope you don't feel remotely guilty about killing that raccoon. You should feel completely justified doing whatever to protect your flock. And be very sure, that raccoon would've been back for more if you hadn't killed it.

As to your pen, if that raccoon had a buddy who you didn't see, the buddy will probably be back. My biggest concern for you is that you find how the raccoon got in the pen and fortify it.....and possibly stake out the area for a couple days and pick off whatever raccoon comes near.

Forgive me if i sound cruel. I have lost my entire flock now to predators. I thought two of them must've been from birds, since they disappeared during the day, but now since i read your post, i'm not so sure.

 

[dragonlaurel]

Quote:
Sorry about your chickens.
You really did a good job with the clean up. Mama raccoons hunt any time since their babies need fed frequently. It would still try to avoid people though. Might be a good idea to put a live trap out in case it's friends or family want to try. Let us know about the coon.

 

[Country4ever]

Raccoons can be out in early evening and morning too.

 

[laruec]

Thanks everyone for the helpful answers! We are keeping an eye on the flock, and thinking about how to better situate the pen so that this doesn't happen again (or a lot anyway- I do live in the country).