Coon question

[artsyrobin]

We are still in the process of making the run and coop- but we have two coons that have been visiting the porch- got to wondering, with the chickens in the coop every nite, will coons climb fences to get in? any suggestions on coon proofing? i mean these two were looking in the door!

 

[xtremevermonter]

Raccoons are devilishly rascally. They will have no problem climbing fences and might even try their luck at latches and locks. I double latch all of my doors, cover my run, and bury my chicken wire with broken glass 12" down at the bottom of the wire.

 

[artsyrobin]

hmmmm....ok, we are making cement trenches down to base rock, hardware cloth, covered run and they will be locked up in the coop at nite- what kind of latches do you use??

 

[ducklover15]

Coons will get in anywhere! I've lost two hens to coons.

I suggest setting traps as well and try to remove as many of them as you can to lower your chances of an attack.

 

[CMV]

The only latches that are fool-proof are the kind that can be padlocked or require brute strength to get open. Raccoons are very clever and they learn quickly.

 

[artsyrobin]

glad i asked, as it stands now, the chickens are in the spare bedroom- i have had to bring in the wild bird food and humming bird feeders at nite- the coop will be on cement poles(that has been poured), 4 feet above ground- with the run under it and extending out- will rethink our latches

 

[CMV]

Good luck! Sounds like you have a pretty sound coop and run in the works.

 

[nursemeh]

I just finished my first coop!
My girls are spending their second night out tonight!!!

I am negotiating running electricity out to have an electric fence perimeter. In the meantime, I am using hasp latches with carabiner locks.

I was just so scared that a racoon could somehow work at our slidelocks!!!

We also have the run perimeter buried with an apron of hardware cloth out 15 inches and it is completely covered with wire fencing.

If I see any racoon activity- I'l just have to get serious about electrical fencing- from what I have read on BYC- electric fencing is the ONLY guarantee againts racoons!!

now/....off to check on my girls!!