Chickens afraid of coop after raccoon attacks

[pippinainteasy]

We lost 14 chickens in just over a week to what we thought was a weasel, until I caught a raccoon in the act. We realized it was getting into the coop at night through a small hole between our barn and the coop. I have secured the coop like crazy, and no more attacks have happened since three days ago. They still go in throughout the day to lay eggs, but won't go in at night until I force them to. They free range during the day from 7am until dusk, and are trying to roost in my lilac tree next to the house. I have had to carry them into the coop the past 2 nights. Any advice? Should I put some exciting snacks in there? Lock them in for a few days? Will they eventually get used to going in again on their own?

 

[sourland]

It will take time, but eventually they will regard their coop as a safe place. Is there any possibility that there is more than one coon? I would keep box traps set for a while just in case.

 

[chicken1234]

I would clean the coop out really well to remove the coon scent and offer some new afternoon snacks. You might want to change the roost to across from where the coon came in to make them feel more secure.

 

[pippinainteasy]

It will take time, but eventually they will regard their coop as a safe place. Is there any possibility that there is more than one coon? I would keep box traps set for a while just in case.

Thank you! We have traps out.

 

[pippinainteasy]

I would clean the coop out really well to remove the coon scent and offer some new afternoon snacks. You might want to change the roost to across from where the coon came in to make them feel more secure.

I didn't even think about that. I have been having my german shepherd come into the coop with me a few times a day to scare away the raccoons. She gets along great with the chickens

 

[Red Horse]

Hang some battery powered LED string lights inside the coop so they can see inside it when it gets dark and can tell there's nothing lying in wait for them. You can even set a timer so they go on just before sunset and go off an hour or so after.

 

[pippinainteasy]

Hang some battery powered LED string lights inside the coop so they can see inside it when it gets dark and can tell there's nothing lying in wait for them. You can even set a timer so they go on just before sunset and go off an hour or so after.

That's a good idea. I have also been leaving the lights on around the outside of the coop hoping it will deter the raccoon a bit.

 

[Lelilamom]

Deep clean the coop. I lost 15 to a raccoon family several years ago and experienced the very same behavior. My hens were terrified of going into the coop. I cleaned the entire coop, nesting boxes, feeders, etc to remove all feathers (and found parts of birds in the process, yuck) feces, etc. That night, they all went back in and peacefully slept the night.

Side Note: We took care of the raccoon family and then some, immediately.

 

[pippinainteasy]

Thank you! I am in NY and we are having unusually hot weather so I don't think that's helping the situation. They are liking the cool down outside once the sun goes down. I have been tempting them in with corn on the cob and fruit.

 

[Scooter1A]

We lost 14 chickens in just over a week to what we thought was a weasel, until I caught a raccoon in the act. We realized it was getting into the coop at night through a small hole between our barn and the coop. I have secured the coop like crazy, and no more attacks have happened since three days ago. They still go in throughout the day to lay eggs, but won't go in at night until I force them to. They free range during the day from 7am until dusk, and are trying to roost in my lilac tree next to the house. I have had to carry them into the coop the past 2 nights. Any advice? Should I put some exciting snacks in there? Lock them in for a few days? Will they eventually get used to going in again on their own?

I'm losing my chickens at night and I know it's coons. I've reinforced but now they tore part of my roof off to get in last nite. People have suggested letting them roost outside and since yours want to roost in the lilac tree perhaps you should give that a go? Myself since I only have 4 left and they won't go in the trees, well I'm putting them in a smaller coop and tonight I'll be waiting for the predator. I've found that it's usually one that keeps breaking in since I've eliminated alot of them. The war is on!!