Don't these raccoons know they are nocturnal!!!

[Mrs. Feathers]

Arghhh...I was just out doing some gardening (thankfully) and heard my bunny screaming from his outdoor exercise run...next thiing I know my girls are all going crazy in their run. Two huge raccoons came running throught the yard. Yikes!!! I thought that bringing in my girls to their nice secure coop before sunset was keeping them safe.
Now I am not sure what to do when we are at work during the day the girls are out...bunny lives in the house but my hens need to get outside.
We have relocated a live trapped raccoon in the past...just hope I can catch these two soon!!!

 

[bobbi-j]

Personally, I think your girls are safer free-ranging during the day than being in a pen. At least they have a chance to get away that way. In the pen, where can the go? Especially if there are more than one raccoon ganging up on them. Coons here don't get a second chance. They die of lead poisoning.

 

[TRoB]

I've heard that raccoons that show unusual behavior, such as coming out in daytime, are usually infected with rabies.

 

[drumstick diva]

Not so anymore. Raccoons are out whenever they know they can find something. Like a cat or dog food bowl left out, chicken feed (and chickens) etc. If they are walking tipsy or doing weird things that may be distemper or rabies. But just to see them being raccoons in daylight doesn't mean a thing.

 

[Mrs. Feathers]

Quote:
I think these were two very healthy males scoping out territory. They had a huge fight up in tree later in the afternoon.
Our girls have a very large run that they free run in with lots trees, rocks and places to escape. I think that they are just too trusting as all the animals they have encountered are friendly with them...althought they did let up a squawk when the raccoons came running through today. Mind you so did I.
We have a no firearms/crossbow law where we live bobbi-j so unfortunately no lead for them...although my hubby was making jokes (I think

) about a 22 with a silencer! We have set live traps as have our neighbours so we will trap and relocate as the rules say to make them someone elses problem...silly bi-law! They were probably relocated here in the first place!

 

[sourland]

If you relocate which may be illegal and is somewhat unfair to both the animal and the people where you dump it take a long ride. Coons have a strong homing instinct. Handle the trap with gloves as coons are endemic for rabies.

 

[PhoenixAngel429]

Quote:
Yeah, that is something bad. I would just let them die a quick lead poisoning related death.

 

[bobbi-j]

Can you trap them and take them somewhere out in the country to shoot them? Just a thought...

 

[TreeHugger]

Mother raccoons will come out during daylight hours to search for food for their young. Right now is baby season and chickens make a perfect take home meal. However, all of them are opportunists and will come out whenever for the easiest meal.

 

[Mrs. Feathers]

Quote:
Legally in our municipality our only option is to trap and relocate.
For all the reasons already stated I don't agree with relocating them either.. but I refuse to keep my hens locked up or have them be an open feast for racoons.
Hubby just came in said he saw them running through our yard again and they stopped and growled at him although he did not approach them.
If wildlife poses a safety issue Animal Control will come and trap them. I don't feel too wonderful about my two year old grandaughter playing in the yard with aggressive racoons running around so there may be a solution.