4 dead through the wire?

[cseals]

. Here is a picture of my coop that should help.

 

[scbatz33]

I'd say you'll have to put them in and lock them in at night and let them out in the day time. Been battling coons for weeks. It doesn't matter if you use hard wire, they will dig under. YOu need to lock the birds up at night. Preferably with a lock so the little creepy murderers don't figure out how to undo the latches - which they will eventually figure out.

 

[boogiedog]

Mine couldn't figure out how to get back into the coop for the first couple of nights, so right after they nested on the ground (at dusk) I would pick them up and put them in the coop and lock them in. Two nights of that and they got it.

If you cannot lock them up into the coop (and in your set up you may not be able to) you can reinforce the wire by wrapping welded galzanized wire cloth (1/2" or max 1") about 16 gauge (the heavier the better) around the existing wired area. Galvanized is important as it resists rusting and will last longer. Be sure to bolt that wire directly onto your wood frame (I used large washers and screws, placed every 2 inches with NO GAPPING). I would even skirt out the heavy wire by at least 6 inches. That will make the tractor harder to move but buys you extra protection from lifting/burrowing.

Raccoons are surprisingly strong and smart - be sure that your latches are also complex enough that smart animal hands cannot fiddle with and get open.

I am so sorry for your loss.

 

[littlethorn]

I agree with everyone else who says this looks like coons. They sometimes come in family groups and will herd your chickens to a place in the coop where they can be grabbed through the bars. Besides hardware cloth, locking your birds in the coop at night is the way to go. I would also suggest a full wall on one side of your coop so they cannot be surrounded and herded by predators.

*edited for clarity

 

[willheveland]

I've been having some of those same problems. I lost 7 chickens in 1 week. I noticed they were roosting higher and higher first their coop fence. then the light pole,eventually my barn roof. I've caught 4 coon an 2 opposum so far. I guess I'll keep the trap set til things quiet down. Will

 

[cseals]

Well thanks to all of you the killer has been caught!!!!!!!!!!!! I set a live trap yesterday and caught a raccoon this morning!! I will probably set it everyday this week and make sure I get them all. I could not bring myself to kill it so it will be relocated far away from town.

 

[jojo@rolling acres farm]

Posted during right when BYC was being shut down - So sorry about the duplication - or would that be triplication????!

 

[jojo@rolling acres farm]

Posting was duplicated during "BYC Down Time) Sorry!

 

[jojo@rolling acres farm]

Relocation is not a great option. There are laws in some states against relocation. I hate to be harsh but you need to kill it/them. If you don't have a gun - submerge the entire live trap in a tank/body of water. Believe me, there are plenty of racoons to take its place.

Sorry about the loss of your chickens and the pain it'll cause your son. You'll need to lock them up safe and secure each and every night. Coons have taken one of my silkie hens @ 4 in the afternoon. They pulled her through the fence as she was eating. Coons are very smart, cause a lot of damage and do not give up easily. Word has it that they are having large litters this year in this area. Oh, joy.

Good Luck, Joni

 

[SallyF]

You'd be doing it more favors to kill it. A quick death is better than a prolonged one. Just my opinion.

Live Trapping

Although live trapping and relocating has been widely used as a method of wildlife control, it can be inhumane as the animals may suffer severe injury and sometimes death in their attempts to escape. It is not a long-term solution. Most wild animals are territorial, so relocating them somewhere else will not only fail to solve local problems, but often creates new problems at the release site by upsetting the natural balance of existing populations. The resident raccoons may attack and sometimes kill relocated raccoons to defend their territory. Studies done by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources have shown that 60% of relocated raccoons do not survive. Relocation also facilitates the spread of disease from one area to another.

From the Portland Humane Society:

Relocation is inhumane: Although many people perceive relocation as a humane approach to resolving conflicts, it is in fact just the opposite. Relocated raccoons have to fight with already established raccoons for territory, food and shelter. Many raccoons do not survive relocation and those that do disrupt already established populations. Relocated raccoon kits are almost always abandoned as it is near impossible for a mother to carry and care for her young while also establishing herself in a new territory.