An explosion of raccoons, is it the passing seasons? new to predator

I'd kill and dispose of them as that is one less raccoon.

 

In Idaho, it's illegal to feed wild animals. I'm sure it is in Oregon too. You might remind your neighbor of that. I'm not sure the migratory patterns of racoons (I think they're cute too, BTW) but I would imagine they know your neighbor has food and you do too (chickens). They've told their friends and relatives. Keep doing what you're doing and hopefully you won't have any causalities, other than the racoons.

 

I am on my way right now to the TSC to get an electric fence unit. We haven't had coons but we had a run in with possum last nite. I highly recommend hot wire. We used it last year for dogs and it was great. We have to get a solar unit now because we moved the coop and don't have electricity to it... Good Luck!!

 

Sounds like you need to keep your .22 closer to the door.

 

I have a family of 6 that loves my neighbors backyard. I've seen their footprints all over my fence. They have never bothered my birds b/c my coop and run is a fortress of hardware cloth. My neighbor has a pond and we've been in a drought. So I think that's why I see them. Last night I was sitting outside and they climbed up the tree not 8 feet from me and just starred at me. They do this all the time. I am not into trapping or shooting them. Just make your coop and run like fort knox. I feel if you shoot 1 or trap 1 or all, there will always be more.

 

find out what they are feeding them it makes good bait for traps most folks have coons around they just do not realize it as the food sources run out the coons constantly move looking for new food sources

 

Our neighbor across the road fed her cats outside. And probably half of the racoon population in the county. When she moved, well we were...there. We've removed 6 racoons from the gene pool recently. I know all the teenage racoons have been weaned and are on there own. Not too wily as of yet. We have flight netting over our large runs but some of the guys have learned to crash through it. Once they get into the run though, they can't get back out. Bad move buddies.

 

here in Texas, we have been experiencing MAJOR drought lately. There is a LOT more wildlife sightings, and I am getting a lot more calls from people who have found wildlife and need a rehabber. The drought was so long that all of the critters are now scrambling to get as much food and water (resources) as they can before winter hits. If your neighbors are feeding wildlife, they are not just going to go away. I have a citizen where I work that feeds them (it is illegal in my city too). We have cited her for it before, but it took her getting bit by one to get her to stop. Do you know how hard it is to tell which raccoon bit you when there are thirty that hang around your house?

If you don't want to cause waves, I would recommend really really fortifying your coop. Does your dog guard your property? The great pyranese at the wildlife center I work with are the best deturant for predators in the world.

Unfortunately, if your neghbor is feeding them, trapping them is going to do very little to change the situation. The more you trap, the more NEW raccoons move in as old territories become vacant. It may actually increase the numbers of raccoons in the area as you trap one and three new ones move in to fight for the freshly vacated territory.