coon-lead masacre, how to kill?

[pcvbarry]

so all my beautiful 7 week old (and one week outside) pullets met there untimely demise from a racooon last night. We found the coon sitting pretty on top of the nests and were unsure how it got in, but think it dug underneath and came up through the slat floor. We then tried to lock it in, which I realize now is quite laughable and, of course, this morning he was gone.

We thought in the moment that we should kill it, but weren't sure how. Here are the stats:
1. we live in the middle of the city and don't own a gun
2. it was midnight, so any gun bearing friends were unavailable
3. it was sitting in the 4x3x4 coop/tractor, not a trap
4. it certainly wasn't scared of us but we were scared it it and overwhelmed by the tregedy of the masacre.

my questions: What should we have done; how should we have disposed of the beast? Could you machete it (although surely gross) or would it claw you up? Will this coon tell his friends and they'll all be back when we rebuild? Will electric fencing help with digging under the coop? Can you poison a coon without possibly killing all other neighborhood animals? Can you really shoot animals in the middle of the city?

any thoughts will be greatly appreciated.

in mourning,

lab

 

[Cetawin]

hmmmm the only thing you can or could do is trap it on another night. Coons are one of the more common rabies carriers so you must be careful when dispatching them. They will bite and claw...so approaching it to get close enough to slice and dice is not wise.

Call animal control and see if they can loan you a trap or buy one and trap it. Then drown the little sucker, shoot it, take it for a 40 miles car ride or wahtever you choose.

I am so so sorry about your flock.

 

[ChickenDogDuck]

Raccoon can become a violent animal quickly, when cornered or trapped. I too, DON'T recommend approaching it with hand to hand combat tactics.
They are cute and cudly looking most of the time but not always...

Traps sound like your best bet since you are in town.
ps. Discharging a weapon within most city limits is illegal.

 

[Polish Chickens]

I'd recommend live trapping it or get a dog that will keep predators away from your flock and coop

 

[JewellFarm]

Get a live trap, put in a can of open sardines. They love them. Catch it and if you don't want to kill it, transport it to a far away location and release it. Be aware that where there is one most likely there are several. Hubby keeps one out all the time.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

idk..in a pinch, I'd think a nice BIG shovel would do the job.

 

[Ridgerunner]

You were right to be scared of it. A grown raccoon can kill a hound dog and they are pretty smart.

I agree you should talk to animal control. Don't be too surprised if there are laws which prevent them from helping you very much. They may be able to get you a trap and they may help you dispose of the animal, but that has not been my experience. In Metairie (outside New Orleans) they told my neighbor who had a raccoon denning in his attic that he needed to hire a trapper.

I'd be very careful about transporting a trapped raccoon. They are smart and I'd hate to have one get out of the cage with me and him in a car.

I've been called inhumane for suggesting it, but in your circumstances I recommend drowning. A garbage can filled with water should hold the trap. If the garbage can leaks, put a garbage bag in it first. I would not fire a gun in an urban or suburban area. It's just not worth the risk to anyone within reach of a riccochet. For anyone who lives where they can safely shoot, that is by far the best way. And I recommend a shotgun. There's not much body under the fur and it is easy to miss.

And I agree. If you have one, you have more. I keep a trap set at all times, just in case. So far, here, it has only been rats. So far.

 

[pcvbarry]

Thanks to all for your suggestions. I may have a lead on a trap but we're trying to figure if we really have to stomach for predator disposal. Since this is/was our first forray with chickens, maybe it's not meant to be.

sigh.

 

[aberfitch]

if you get desperate you can use a can of hairspray and a lighter.

 

[danielbrown]

How about A Bow or Crossbow with some broadhead tips.

quiet
short range
low chance of ricochet
Will takeout any predator that gives you trouble.

These coons approve.