Dispatched momma coon and three kits, but feeling bad about it.

[sreihart]

My heart aches for you because I feel the same way. However, as everyone has said, if you would have gone to your coop and saw your chickens with their heads ripped off you would be seeing red and not just from crying eyes. Eventually they would have gotten your chickens one way or another, so you are your chickens hero! You did good. You did what any good, responsible chicken owner would have done. I applaud you!

 

[crossedwires]

its a highly skilled and lethal preaditor, your choices are do what you did and protect your flock, or loes your flock, nothing to feel sorry about, always remember that when you keep any livestock you have a DUTY OF CARE to them, protecting them from preditors is part of that duty. you did a good job be proud of it

 

[jjthinkagain]

Quote:
Me too.

In the hopes of never having to hurt anybody, I try to pred proof like crazy. I know there is still a risk but hopefully it's minimal and everybody can carry on.... Seems to be the only long term solution because preds will fill in the 'gaps' once one 'removes' the current threats.

JJ

 

[gryeyes]

Just remember that those cute little masked bandit babies grow up to be chicken killers with claws out to here (with which they pull chickens' heads off through fences). Perfectly able to kill cats and dogs, too. They're smart. They are NOT endangered. Cutesy wootsie fuzzy 'coon kits and that heart-tugging "teach your children" momma are wild animals, predators.

With that said, I'd be sobbing and sick to my stomach at having to dispatch 'em, too. I might actually have to wait until a male friend of mine came over to do it for me, if I trapped any.

I am impressed with your gumption to follow through with the unpleasant BUT NECESSARY task. And I hope your heart is eased before too long. You did GOOD.

 

[MysticScorpio82]

I am so sorry

. I know I would feel bad too, but that just goes to show you have a heart. It should never be enjoyable to kill a living creature, but you did do the right thing. You were protecting you animals that rely on YOU for protection. Cry if you need to, let it out of your system, and then go and spend a little time with the girls. If it had been for you, they would be in serious danger.

 

[rrgrassi]

I do not feel bad since it is not killing just for the thrill of it. You are protecting what is yours.

 

[scbatz33]

I have not shed a single tear for any of the 4 dead raccoons my husband has unloaded bullets into.

I did cry while I held my favorite $50 pullet as she struggled to breath after being attacked by one of those nasty little killers. I did cry when My favorite hen was pulled though a hole and subsequently had her head ripped off because she was too large to fit through the hole the raccoon squeezed through. I did cry when I had to pick up the 5 carcasses of my lavender orpingtons who were not killed to be eaten, but just killed by these nasty little beasts.

And believe me, I will not be crying when I sit in the dark, in my barn and wait for them to come back for seconds tonight.

 

[The Chicken Lady]

You did the right thing. Sometimes, the right thing is a hard thing to do.

Good for you for being brave! You're not much of a "city girl," anymore!

 

[OrpingtonManor]

I had to deal with one of my birds killed by a raccoon this week. The raccoons have been back, but I keep shooting them with a jet nozzle on my hose. That deters them, but doesn't really stop them. I am also dealing with a family of raccoons, not just a solitary animal. I can't trap them all. Wish I could.

since the attack, I have been reading on raccoons. They are increasing in population, even as we take over their habitat and kill as many as we can. they are aggressive, and do carry many diseases. although I can't kill mine (suburban neighborhood), I completely understand the need to do so.

You did what was right. Don't feel bad.

 

[TriciaHowe]

My dogs got a momma possum and her babies (4) last month. Then night before last they got a couple of very young racoons. I did feel kinda bad about them but my dogs were doing exactly what they are supposed to do.....