We have lost 5 chickens in the past 2 weeks to what we believe to be a raccoon. The first chicken was taken from the coop by a coon that dug in. The others were taken when they refused to roost in the coop following the murder. They went more than 30 ft up into an adjacent tree and we couldn't get them down at night.
Anyway, since the first murder none of the chickens willingly go back to the coop at night. Tonight I had to bait most of them and chase another into the coop in the middle of the afternoon when they were interested in treats. When in the coop, they freak out and throw themselves against the wire in the run trying to escape. I just went and checked on them (its nearly dark here) and there is still one hen frantically pacing the floor trying to escape.
We fortified the coop with rocks, more wire, bricks and beams. I just feel so guilty because I feel like I am Hitler marching them to a death camp when I put them up at night. They don't feel safe, I don't have confidence that they are safe, and they definately aren't safe roosting in the trees. If I have to break up a coon attack tonight or lose another chicken (or, God forbid, all my chickens) in the coop I don't know what I will do.
Short of land mines, electrified razor wire, and a rifle...how in the heck do I keep these things out of my chicken coop? I feel like I am letting my chickens down. I set a trap, but each morning it is empty, sprung, and the bait is gone. Last night, whatever flipped the trap springing it and releasing the bait. I even wired a can of sardine in the trap, which they completely ignore without marshmellows or dry cat food.
I consider myself a humanitarian, but never in my life have I wanted to go on a merciless, murdering rampage against a furry animal more than I do now.
Anyway, since the first murder none of the chickens willingly go back to the coop at night. Tonight I had to bait most of them and chase another into the coop in the middle of the afternoon when they were interested in treats. When in the coop, they freak out and throw themselves against the wire in the run trying to escape. I just went and checked on them (its nearly dark here) and there is still one hen frantically pacing the floor trying to escape.
We fortified the coop with rocks, more wire, bricks and beams. I just feel so guilty because I feel like I am Hitler marching them to a death camp when I put them up at night. They don't feel safe, I don't have confidence that they are safe, and they definately aren't safe roosting in the trees. If I have to break up a coon attack tonight or lose another chicken (or, God forbid, all my chickens) in the coop I don't know what I will do.
Short of land mines, electrified razor wire, and a rifle...how in the heck do I keep these things out of my chicken coop? I feel like I am letting my chickens down. I set a trap, but each morning it is empty, sprung, and the bait is gone. Last night, whatever flipped the trap springing it and releasing the bait. I even wired a can of sardine in the trap, which they completely ignore without marshmellows or dry cat food.
I consider myself a humanitarian, but never in my life have I wanted to go on a merciless, murdering rampage against a furry animal more than I do now.
