California - Northern

[ronott1]

Well the raccoon managed to get 4 of my Seramas, 1 hen 3 pullets I am so upset with myself. Only found one body but presume all are dead...it got ahold of one of my EEs brought her to the back door and that's what woke me up at 3 am, raccoon was standing there and I wanted to shoot it but live in town. Brought all the others in the garage so they would be safe. So the thing to do is trap it and shoot it right?

I am so sorry!

Trap them for sure. You likely have a family of them.

 

[PetRock]

Well miracles do happen I found three girls this morning so only one casualty.

So sorry that you lost one but glad that the other three are safe! Our coop and run are predator proof but I still worry about the raccoons somehow getting through to my chickens. I have noticed that since we got a dog, I very rarely see evidence of raccoons in the yard. They used to party in numbers in our trees and throw pool parties in the chickens' flat water dishes.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Yay! My cream legbar finally started laying! 26 weeks, 5 days.

Congrats!

Well miracles do happen I found three girls this morning so only one casualty.

So glad you found the others. Did the raccoon break into your coop? I'd definitely set a trap, sometimes the county you live in will let you borrow one, then they will pick it up with the animal in it. (there are exceptions if you trap a skunk though)

 

[SilkiesForEver]

Well the raccoon managed to get 4 of my Seramas, 1 hen 3 pullets I am so upset with myself. Only found one body but presume all are dead...it got ahold of one of my EEs brought her to the back door and that's what woke me up at 3 am, raccoon was standing there and I wanted to shoot it but live in town. Brought all the others in the garage so they would be safe. So the thing to do is trap it and shoot it right?

That's awful! I'm sorry! It's wonderful when you find missing ones though.

That's why we highly value a good working dog. They get to the predator before the predator gets to the coop!

Yes, I would trap and dispose of it. Then be on the lookout for more.

 

[WendyJeepchick]

Liz9910....
I'm so sorry your girls fell victim to a predator. I only imagine how sad (and p**** off) you are right now.

 

[chrissyr]

Well the raccoon managed to get 4 of my Seramas, 1 hen 3 pullets I am so upset with myself. Only found one body but presume all are dead...it got ahold of one of my EEs brought her to the back door and that's what woke me up at 3 am, raccoon was standing there and I wanted to shoot it but live in town. Brought all the others in the garage so they would be safe. So the thing to do is trap it and shoot it right?

sending hugs, so sorry to hear. Years ago we had a raccoon kill all my girls (7 at the time). I had the pen covered in chicken wire but it found a way to pry that open and get in. Not sure how he was able to but he did it. 3 of my birds I couldn't even recognize because they were so bad and 1 was killed and not even eaten. Raccoons are bad news. Be careful, he will be back and the chicken wiring won't stop him if he's determined. You can get cheap traps at Harbor Freight I believe

 

[liz9910]

Thank you everyone, it was my fault as I didn't lock up the Seramas in their coop which is predator proof, I'd never had any problems with anything like this before. Stupid me. Now I'm proofing my coops, runs and everything else with hardware cloth and latches today. I know they will keep coming back since they know the chickens are here now. I have a trap, going to try to catch it tonight/and or shoot it. I'm almost tempted to borrow the neighbor's dog for awhile and let him patrol the backyard since all I have is a Chihuahua lol. What is the best bait for a trap for a raccoon? Anyone trapped one successfully?

 

[ronott1]

Thank you everyone, it was my fault as I didn't lock up the Seramas in their coop which is predator proof, I'd never had any problems with anything like this before. Stupid me. Now I'm proofing my coops, runs and everything else with hardware cloth and latches today. I know they will keep coming back since they know the chickens are here now. I have a trap, going to try to catch it tonight/and or shoot it. I'm almost tempted to borrow the neighbor's dog for awhile and let him patrol the backyard since all I have is a Chihuahua lol. What is the best bait for a trap for a raccoon? Anyone trapped one successfully?

Chicken....

Chicken flavored cat food.

 

[chrissyr]

Chicken....

Chicken flavored cat food.

I second the cat food

 

[SilkiesForEver]

Quote: I third it.

Also put in some raw/hardboiled egg.