calling any one from missouri

[OzarkCountryGirl]

Last night was Night 2 that the quail I hatched out the end of last month have been outside. And wouldn't you know it, about 1:30 this morning there was a ruckus on the back deck and hubby turned on the light to see the tail of a fat raccoon sticking out of the black oil sunflower seed bag on the deck. It took off right after that and headed off down the creek. I checked all the cages, runs and coops and thankfully all were untouched. But the quail were in a big rabbit cage that had openings big enough for a raccoon to get it's hand through and pull the quail to the side, so I decided to move them. Since little middle son was still up, he helped me fix up a big double cage that had heavy 1/2" square mesh, a solid back and a wood and galvanized metal roof and two heavy duty doors. It has a middle divider to separate the two individual cages, so we made an opening in the divider for them to run back and forth, giving them plenty of room. I put deep litter on one side of the divider, and their food, water, and dusting pan on the other side. We finally got to bed around 3:30 this morning, totally shattered after spending the entire day yesterday in St Louis at Wash U seeing the hand surgeon and then being fitted for joint splints (I have H-EDS and the ligaments don't hold the joints stable any longer, so my fingers tend to hyper-extend and lock when I use my hands), but at least we we are now be able to sleep without worrying about the raccoon or anything else getting to them.

Up until now, the yard pup has kept any potential yard invaders at bay, but the poor baby has been out of commission with an inflamed disk in her neck, and so has been crated and on Prednisone for a bit to give it a chance to heal. And of course the night stalkers are using this to their advantage.

The good news is this morning I woke up to at least 6 (from what I could see via the incubator windows) Narragansett turkey eggs pipping!

Since I have hubby's truck today, I'm going to run to the lumber yard this afternoon and pick up a couple of sheets of plywood to make a big brooder box for them (I've hatched out and brooded small batches of chicks in the house in a steralite container, but I think a dozen or so turkeys would be a different story). Anyway, I was able to pick up all of the hinges, deck screws, rolls of 1/2" x 1" and 1/2" sq wire mesh, a dozen 8-foot 2"x4"s and 1-bys the other day in the Suburban, but there was no way two sheets of plywood were fitting in there (I even measured it just to make sure).

 

[karenerwin]

OzarkCountryGirl, I'm glad for you that the raccoon was being lazy and just going after the easy seeds! Good luck with your turkey hatch!

 

[CGinJCMO]

Last night was Night 2 that the quail I hatched out the end of last month have been outside. And wouldn't you know it, about 1:30 this morning there was a ruckus on the back deck and hubby turned on the light to see the tail of a fat raccoon sticking out of the black oil sunflower seed bag on the deck. It took off right after that and headed off down the creek. I checked all the cages, runs and coops and thankfully all were untouched. But the quail were in a big rabbit cage that had openings big enough for a raccoon to get it's hand through and pull the quail to the side, so I decided to move them. Since little middle son was still up, he helped me fix up a big double cage that had heavy 1/2" square mesh, a solid back and a wood and galvanized metal roof and two heavy duty doors. It has a middle divider to separate the two individual cages, so we made an opening in the divider for them to run back and forth, giving them plenty of room. I put deep litter on one side of the divider, and their food, water, and dusting pan on the other side. We finally got to bed around 3:30 this morning, totally shattered after spending the entire day yesterday in St Louis at Wash U seeing the hand surgeon and then being fitted for joint splints (I have H-EDS and the ligaments don't hold the joints stable any longer, so my fingers tend to hyper-extend and lock when I use my hands), but at least we we are now be able to sleep without worrying about the raccoon or anything else getting to them.

Up until now, the yard pup has kept any potential yard invaders at bay, but the poor baby has been out of commission with an inflamed disk in her neck, and so has been crated and on Prednisone for a bit to give it a chance to heal. And of course the night stalkers are using this to their advantage.

The good news is this morning I woke up to at least 6 (from what I could see via the incubator windows) Narragansett turkey eggs pipping!

Since I have hubby's truck today, I'm going to run to the lumber yard this afternoon and pick up a couple of sheets of plywood to make a big brooder box for them (I've hatched out and brooded small batches of chicks in the house in a steralite container, but I think a dozen or so turkeys would be a different story). Anyway, I was able to pick up all of the hinges, deck screws, rolls of 1/2" x 1" and 1/2" sq wire mesh, a dozen 8-foot 2"x4"s and 1-bys the other day in the Suburban, but there was no way two sheets of plywood were fitting in there (I even measured it just to make sure).

The coons and possums seem to be bad across the whole state. I just lost 2 ducks because they are climbing over and I don't have net yet (Plus have shad tree in pen so that makes it difficult to cover).

Good luck with the turkeys.

Quote: Yeah, too far.

They'd start in this heat and my car doesn't have A/C working so shaking plus warmth will probably kill them. I probably wouldn't be able to get them later because I am tied to my job (since i get June & July off, they don't like it if I take time off the rest of the year).

CG

 

[Coyote Night]

Yeah, too far.

They'd start in this heat and my car doesn't have A/C working so shaking plus warmth will probably kill them. I probably wouldn't be able to get them later because I am tied to my job (since i get June & July off, they don't like it if I take time off the rest of the year).

CG

Cold packs can keep the eggs nice and cool, but I understand. May sell some chicks next year not sure, but check in with me next year if you are interested. Thanks

 

[OzarkCountryGirl]

The raccoon was back again tonight, but this time youngest son forgot to close the coop and the ducks were still out in the yard. I expected to go out and find carnage, but the raccoon apparently wasn't in the mood for duck, and instead, came right onto the deck and climbed right back into the sunflower seed bag. I'm going to have to get more black oil sunflower seeds tomorrow, which I don't mind it eating them if it means that it will leave my birds alone.

 

[karenerwin]

The raccoon was back again tonight, but this time youngest son forgot to close the coop and the ducks were still out in the yard. I expected to go out and find carnage, but the raccoon apparently wasn't in the mood for duck, and instead, came right onto the deck and climbed right back into the sunflower seed bag. I'm going to have to get more black oil sunflower seeds tomorrow, which I don't mind it eating them if it means that it will leave my birds alone.

I wonder if you could bait a live trap with the sunflower seeds and then relocate the raccoon somewhere far away.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Never relocate vermin. It's often illegal, puts your problem in someone else's backyard, promotes disease, causes the transplant to fight for new territory or supplant those in that new territory.

ETA
A transplant will not know where to find food and will more likely go after an easy meal like chickens. People all over have chickens.
Also, raccoons have huge territories so unless you're willing to drive a long distance, it will be back.

 

[CGinJCMO]

The raccoon was back again tonight, but this time youngest son forgot to close the coop and the ducks were still out in the yard. I expected to go out and find carnage, but the raccoon apparently wasn't in the mood for duck, and instead, came right onto the deck and climbed right back into the sunflower seed bag. I'm going to have to get more black oil sunflower seeds tomorrow, which I don't mind it eating them if it means that it will leave my birds alone.

Never relocate vermin. It's often illegal, puts your problem in someone else's backyard, promotes disease, causes the transplant to fight for new territory or supplant those in that new territory.

ETA
A transplant will not know where to find food and will more likely go after an easy meal like chickens. People all over have chickens.
Also, raccoons have huge territories so unless you're willing to drive a long distance, it will be back.

I had a coon climb into my son's duck pen and killed 2 of the 3 (earlier in the week, it got mama broody and half the babies). Just ate the "good" parts (brain and guts) of one then went to another duck. The third one had an infection in her eye and maybe a wound on top of her head so it tried to get her too. I wiped the eye gunk, put medicine (prescription neosporin) in it and gave her a shot of Tylan antibiotics. I put her in a smaller cage then put the cage in the bantam pen (it's covered) but not critter proof either but the coop is totally safe (poured urine around the spots I don't think are secure yet). Reset the trap (apparently one side isn't working - had to have other door opened instead) and waited. Trap got him! 22 finished him! Trap will be reset but I don't think we'll stay up late and check the trap during the night. Hopefully this is the only one.

CG

 

[OzarkCountryGirl]

I had a coon climb into my son's duck pen and killed 2 of the 3 (earlier in the week, it got mama broody and half the babies). Just ate the "good" parts (brain and guts) of one then went to another duck. The third one had an infection in her eye and maybe a wound on top of her head so it tried to get her too. I wiped the eye gunk, put medicine (prescription neosporin) in it and gave her a shot of Tylan antibiotics. I put her in a smaller cage then put the cage in the bantam pen (it's covered) but not critter proof either but the coop is totally safe (poured urine around the spots I don't think are secure yet). Reset the trap (apparently one side isn't working - had to have other door opened instead) and waited. Trap got him! 22 finished him! Trap will be reset but I don't think we'll stay up late and check the trap during the night. Hopefully this is the only one.

CG

I'm so sorry.

Glad you were finally able to trap and kill it. I used to have a pet raccoon (found as a baby and raised it), and was raising chickens at the same time and he never went after them. But I still would put him in the kennel whenever I had to leave while the chickens were still out. And I locked the chickens up at night (why temp fate). I lived right up against the National Forest (on three sides), and he frequently took off through the woods and down toward the river, so was still well acquainted with the wild side. He was a couple years old when one day when he took off and just never came back. But that was the only time we've not had to kill an adult raccoon that's came around our chickens. I think what's going on with this one is that it's still very much a juvenile, so it's going after easy meals....for now.

Never relocate vermin. It's often illegal, puts your problem in someone else's backyard, promotes disease, causes the transplant to fight for new territory or supplant those in that new territory.

With regards to trap and release, other than rat snakes, I don't relocate any wild animals (and dogs) that attacks domestic animals. They get the 3 "S's"...

 

[ChickenCanoe]

If one thinks they have ONE raccoon, guess again.