Big Raccoon problem!

[roosterhavoc]

A 25-30 lbs boar coon tore siding off my duck & goose house and killed my beloved Embden, Lady Gos Gos, and two beautiful duck hens. I got him the next night after relocating the survivors. In the past 9 nights I’ve shot 33 of various sizes. All in a combined wooded area of only 2 1/2 acres. I don’t like killing, however it’s them or my babies. Last summer I lost 16 hens to coyotes while the chickens were free range. 6 weeks ago I lost 13 to a town dog. I’m getting electric net fencing for range yard and predator detergent lights. I’ve been playing radio on AM TA

Traps are better than lights.

 

[Joev1973]

I moved into a new house. Saw deer all day in driveway and front yard so decided to put trail cam over some corn. Just feet from my porch.

Again did this to see deer.

Glad i did bc i had a rude awakening. Now my wife wont let her yorkies out without a firearm.

And thr disturbing part is they are not even waiting until dark.

Raccoons in middle of afternoon and fox 2 full hours before dark.

I dont want to kill anything to be honest. And cant say i would kill over a chicken. But i have 28 birds back there so if i lost one chances are all of them would be in danger

But my wifes yorkies i would kill over. I let the dogs out in a fenced in backyard and built the coop within the fence.



Here are a couple examples of 1000 we have seen in just 2 months.

 

[roosterhavoc]

I moved into a new house. Saw deer all day in driveway and front yard so decided to put trail cam over some corn. Just feet from my porch.

Again did this to see deer.

Glad i did bc i had a rude awakening. Now my wife wont let her yorkies out without a firearm.

And thr disturbing part is they are not even waiting until dark.

Raccoons in middle of afternoon and fox 2 full hours before dark.

I dont want to kill anything to be honest. And cant say i would kill over a chicken. But i have 28 birds back there so if i lost one chances are all of them would be in danger

But my wifes yorkies i would kill over. I let the dogs out in a fenced in backyard and built the coop within the fence.



Here are a couple examples of 1000 we have seen in just 2 months.

View attachment 1843466 View attachment 1843474 View attachment 1843477 View attachment 1843481 View attachment 1843484 View attachment 1843487

You’re drawing them in with the block that most likely has molasses in it.

 

[Joev1973]

When i. let my dogs out i bring a rifle. I have a black walnut tree and i zero'd the rifle on a walnut in the lawn. I hit the walnut and blew a big hole in the yard. I pray i never have to kill anything but i am prepared to.

Just today i received bird netting for my run which is 50 ft x 25 ft. Inwas showing neighbor all my hardware cloth and how secure my coop was and he pointed up in the sky. A dozen hawks. I mean BIG hawks...ever present. So tomorrow im covering the run.

The run is to big to use hardware cloth or some sort of roof so bird netting will have to work for the hawks.

 

[Joev1973]

You’re drawing them in with the block that most likely has molasses in it.

First 2 pics no block. Just corn. And boy am i glad i did. I had no idea so many critters were out there. I have more pics from my cell phone i took in the yard.

 

[Shanny123]

A 25-30 lbs boar coon tore siding off my duck & goose house and killed my beloved Embden, Lady Gos Gos, and two beautiful duck hens. I got him the next night after relocating the survivors. In the past 9 nights I’ve shot 33 of various sizes. All in a combined wooded area of only 2 1/2 acres. I don’t like killing, however it’s them or my babies. Last summer I lost 16 hens to coyotes while the chickens were free range. 6 weeks ago I lost 13 to a town dog. I’m getting electric net fencing for range yard and predator detergent lights. I’ve been playing radio on AM TA

So sorry for your many losses. Very painful to lose your critters. I know. Sounds like you've done everything you can. Good luck.

 

[Shanny123]

When i. let my dogs out i bring a rifle. I have a black walnut tree and i zero'd the rifle on a walnut in the lawn. I hit the walnut and blew a big hole in the yard. I pray i never have to kill anything but i am prepared to.
View attachment 1843498 View attachment 1843501

Just today i received bird netting for my run which is 50 ft x 25 ft. Inwas showing neighbor all my hardware cloth and how secure my coop was and he pointed up in the sky. A dozen hawks. I mean BIG hawks...ever present. So tomorrow im covering the run.

The run is to big to use hardware cloth or some sort of roof so bird netting will have to work for the hawks.
View attachment 1843505

I'm thinking of getting netting too. About 5 hawks have been keeping an eye on the backyard as they soar overhead. Good luck!

 

[Joev1973]

I found it at walmart online 50x50 for $19 not bad. Also if you youtube it snakes get caught in it and die. Bigtime snakes here in tennessee. If i can stop hawks from dive bombing it was worth $20 . heck look at this thread. Life idls tough for a chicken!

 

[Shanny123]

Thank you Joev1973! I'll pick some up. Great price, thanks!

 

[roosterhavoc]

First 2 pics no block. Just corn. And boy am i glad i did. I had no idea so many critters were out there. I have more pics from my cell phone i took in the yard.

If you’re worried about animals getting your birds I would stop putting any bait, corn and especially those blocks. You’re still drawing them in. There’s foxes and raccoons all over. If you see 1 raccoon there’s usually at least 10. One fox and there’s at least a pair close.