Drunk raccoon

[ChlorophyllChick]

Our neighbors have an apple tree in their back yard which hangs over the fence into our yard. Today I heard the chickens sounding an alarm so I ran out to see a raccoon in the neighbors yard, right next to our fence, eating the fallen apples. I ran up to it to try to scare it away, even though it didn't seem interested in the chickens. I have never seen one up close before or in the daylight so I was really surprised when it didn't even flinch, I was yelling and waving my arms. I threw a couple of apples at it and it kind of hissed and eventually left, but it definitely seemed drunk off of the rotting apples. We are in a pretty populated area and have never seen any predators before. Our chickens usually free range in the yard all day, but I am really worried that this raccoon might come back and go after the chickens when all the apples are gone. I don't know very much about raccoons or what they are capable of, but I think it could get over the fence and into our yard it if wanted to so I don't know if it is safe to let the chickens out. They have a fully enclosed run, but it is small and they are much happier free ranging, but now I'm not sure if it is safe. Does anyone have any advice?

 

[SilkieBantams]

I would have shot it as it'll be one less coon and if there is one coon there is bound to be more

 

[oldchickenlady]

It could also have had rabies, too. Probably not the end stages of the disease, but still could have been. Always suspect rabies when wild animals are acting abnormal...and usually coons are nocturnal. Just saying...

 

[brahmakid11]

get ya an ar-15 and bang! bang! bang!!!

 

[mrpekinduck]

Shoot it he will go after you're chickens and most people say that they are the worst predators.

 

[drumstick diva]

Raccoons are one of the most prevalent predators of chickens. They can climb just about anything, have the tenacity of a bulldog, opposeable thumbs like us,the creativity of a rocket scientist. They are barbaric in their methods of killing, maiming their victims - they will eat their prey alive - any part of them that may stick thru the fence etc. The only good thing that could happen from raccoons getting drunk on apples - is maybe they will stagger into the street and kiss a speeding SUV on their way out.

Having said all that - what was your question again??

 

[ChlorophyllChick]

We don't own a gun, but I really wished I had one, I was so freaked out and didn't know what to do. I think our area is too residential for us to shoot it though, even if we had a gun. Should I have called animal control or something instead of scaring it away? Is there a good way to kill a raccoon other than shooting it? Now that I think about it the axe was only about 15 feet away from me at the time, but I don't know if that would have been a good idea either.

I was initially worried about rabies when it was acting strangely, but I think it was just drunk off of the apples. Although I don't know why it was out during the daytime, it was later in the afternoon and it was rainy so it wasn't sunny out, but it definitely wasn't dark.

Should we keep the chickens locked in their run for awhile until we get this sorted out? I heard them today and knew something was up, but there is no guarantee that I will hear them and get out there in time if it comes back, which people seem to think it will.

 

[ivan3]

ChlorophyllChick wrote: Now that I think about it the axe was only about 15 feet away from me at the time, but I don't know if that would have been a good idea either.

A 3/4 or full ax would serve the purpose admirably. I wouldn't get close enough to a drunk raccoon to use a hand ax.


If you are always around when your chooks are out ranging, put a cheap baby monitor out back (or wherever) and jack the volume on the indoor receiver.​

 

[aprophet]

drunk normally = distemper the bad part is they can be infected with both kinds canine and / or feline

 

[user104534]

I'm not allowed to fire a gun in my neighborhood so I keep a good sheath knife around...helps if you know how to throw it too. If you can get a 1000 fps pellet gun. Those are legal and work well on raccoons.