Am I just encouraging the coon?

[Country4ever]

As you might know, I had a coon attack 3 weeks ago. My coop/run was just about as secure as possible, except for a tiny loose section of netting on the top of the run..........which ended up being its way in.

My coop windows are covered with 1/2" hardware cloth, anchored on all 4 sides with strips of wood, which is attached in several places with screws.
I'm thinking of putting double hardware cloth on.
But here's my question...........
In the summers, the coop gets really hot, even with a fan running. I have several slider windows, which I completely remove in summer. (and protect them with the hardware cloth). the roost is a ladder roost which goes up to one of the windows. The hens love sitting on the window sill, of this 36"x24" window.

The coons have been climbing the pine tree close by and jumping onto the coop and trying to get into that window from the roof.......although its highly unlikely they could manage it (but never say never, right?).
Are having the hens sitting on that window sill in plain sight making the coons more aggressive to get in?? Is it the sight of the chickens, or is it more the scent?
If its the sight of the chickens, I'll change things around. They so enjoy sitting on that sill on hot nights, but I'll change things around to keep them safe.
What do you think? Am I inadvertently teasing the coons on???

 

[Imp]

I would think they already know that dinner is inside. The raccoons can't reach through the wire and grab your chickens, right? 1/2 inch seems like it would be small enough.

Imp- Maybe if you teased them more they'd get mad and leave.

 

[mark3208]

Hey country4ever,you need to let your hens roost wherever they want,it is after all their home. i would suggest getting rid of the coons.

 

[Brindlebtch]

I would be worried!

I don't know if 1/2 inch really is too small for coons to at least injure a chicken through. Maybe double layer like you said with maybe 1/4 hardware cloth. Good luck!

 

[saddina]

The 1/2 inch should do fine, but be sure it's on really good (this means try to rip it off yourself, and try good) if you can't do it, neither should they.

That being said, you really don't want them hanging around.

 

[BlackBart]

They can smell the chickens and they are pretty strong.
Can you put up a string of electric fence wire around the coop roof?
You can get rid of the Raccoon but there are 2 more to take its place.

 

[PAJerry]

Buy a box trap, a bag of cat food for bait, and a good gun. Trap the pests and do what you will. The chickens will love you for it!