Conversations with Coons

[SilberHenne]

Can also toss the trapped raccoon into a barrel of water and see how long it holds its breath for

Well, I'm not going to kill an animal that is just doing what he naturally needs to do. Besides, trapping and killing predators leaves their territory open for other potentially worse predators to move in (and we have many here on Florida that would gladly do so). Hence why people who trap and kill usually have to continue doing so. Girls are locked in at night now, so he won't bother them again, and our two baby cockerels will hopefully soon be letting us know if he does.

 

[roosterhavoc]

Well, I'm not going to kill an animal that is just doing what he naturally needs to do. Besides, trapping and killing predators leaves their territory open for other potentially worse predators to move in (and we have many here on Florida that would gladly do so). Hence why people who trap and kill usually have to continue doing so. Girls are locked in at night now, so he won't bother them again, and our two baby cockerels will hopefully soon be letting us know if he does.

I’ve had raccoons with distemper charge right at me in broad daylight. Trapping and killing with a gun or Mother Nature can fry their brains. Just because you don’t see it happen doesn’t make it better. Rabies, distemper, worms, fleas and all kinds of other parasites that can affect humans. More than one person(usually young kids)has had severe brain damage from ingesting raccoon feces in their own backyard. Kids playing in dirt usually.

 

[SilberHenne]

I’ve had raccoons with distemper charge right at me in broad daylight. Trapping and killing with a gun or Mother Nature can fry their brains. Just because you don’t see it happen doesn’t make it better. Rabies, distemper, worms, fleas and all kinds of other parasites that can affect humans. More than one person(usually young kids)has had severe brain damage from ingesting raccoon feces in their own backyard. Kids playing in dirt usually.

Again, I'm not killing this guy. Nobody will change my mind on this. I respect all life. More will just move in anyway to take his place. We have them all over the neighborhood and I would much rather have a big fat male than female with sneaky little babies. I don't have children and my dogs are vaccinated against rabies and distemper. If I hated or feared wildlife I wouldn't have bought a house in Florida bordering a wildlife management area.

 

[roosterhavoc]

Again, I'm not killing this guy. Nobody will change my mind on this. I respect all life. More will just move in anyway to take his place. We have them all over the neighborhood and I would much rather have a big fat male than female with sneaky little babies. I don't have children and my dogs are vaccinated against rabies and distemper. If I hated or feared wildlife I wouldn't have bought a house in Florida bordering a wildlife management area.

I’m not trying to change your mind. I don’t fear or hate wildlife either. I like them all. My chickens aren’t big fans though so it’s not really what I think is best it’s what’s best for the chickens.
If there’s 1 male raccoon there’s a lot more young and females around too. He didn’t just drop out of the sky.
Better lock the chickens up because if you don’t they might lose their heads. Good luck.

 

[MissChick@dee]

The coon will kill your chickens and your dog.
Trust me. They come and size up your defenses or lack of. They get comfy and then they get bolder. They are not cute harmless animals.
My dogs are watch dogs. They sound the alarm. I would never sic them on another animal.
Raccoons are nasty. There saliva carries bacteria that causes problems with cardiac/blood stream toxins that will kill. Rabies will be thrown out there but in truth there nasty bites cause a slow painful death for those that survive the initial attack.
Shoot the damn coon. Iffin law inforcement gets involved just tell them you were protecting YOURSELF from an attack. End of Story.

 

[MissChick@dee]

Well, I'm not going to kill an animal that is just doing what he naturally needs to do. Besides, trapping and killing predators leaves their territory open for other potentially worse predators to move in (and we have many here on Florida that would gladly do so). Hence why people who trap and kill usually have to continue doing so. Girls are locked in at night now, so he won't bother them again, and our two baby cockerels will hopefully soon be letting us know if he does.

 

[Grits&Eggs]

Can also toss the trapped raccoon into a barrel of water and see how long it holds its breath for

Had to teach the possum a lesson that way last week, finally our feed and chickens are safe - menace. Sorry all, tried to stop it and relocate, but it kept coming back

 

[MissChick@dee]

Relocating a coon a possome a predator of any kind that’s comfortable approaching livestock or pets is just taking Your problem and dumping it on SOMEONE else.

 

[SilberHenne]

Afraid of some raccoons...

Maybe you're all just old fashioned country boys or something, but if there is no reason to kill, I don't see the point. I walked right up to this raccoon and all he did was look at me. Smacked him with a broom and he ran up a tree and then when he saw my 16lb dog, he crawled tree to tree and dove over the back fence as fast as he could. He hasn't been back. People keep these things as pets and I see them sharing food with the neighbor's cats. Calm down lmao!

 

[Stepnout]

He was very reluctant to leave, even after a few swats with my broom

Chasing a raccoon with a broom is a very DANGEROUS thing to do! It could have turn you. This is a wild animal and if cornered you could have been on the receiving end of a bad time.
I respect your decision not to kill this raccoon. I would have taken a different action. This being your choice you will need to protect your flock to the best of your abilities. Good luck.