First attack on my baby chicks !! So sad

[esme13]

This morning we woke up to our first losses ever. My 7 week old black rooster astroloup is gone. I can not find him anywhere !! Just a feather and blood spot down a two story porch. My dear buff Orpington pullet , who had a broken tendon and terrible leg. Well she was left alive with her good leg ripped off!! So broken hearted because we instantly had to put her down. It was a raccoon and it went up my porch and open my brooder. My rooster was such a cuddle bud too.

I have a gutt feeling it will be back I just wish I had my rooster back to burry him with his sister. He was so clingy to me.

 

[Folly's place]

Redo your chicken housing today, and keep your survivors in a really safe place until it's all fixed!
This is horrible for your chicks, and only the first of many such episodes, until your coop and run are actually safe for them.
If you set live traps, plan to shoot what you catch, or don't trap at all. Raccoons come in family groups and climb easily, including wood siding. Foxes climb and jump too, and opossums, rats, coyotes, and many dogs can get into your yard any time.
Your dogs are only effective if they are out there 24/7, and actually notice.
Mary

 

[AllenK RGV]

Wants to meet racoon! Also dippy dog licked the blue-kote off another dogs back. He seems fine 24 hours later.

 

[esme13]

My dogs are to small and didn’t even sound the alarm of what was happening on the porch. Honestly disappointed in my dogs, when they bark non stop at everything that movies. The little likes chicken But she likes to chase them for fun. The little rooster started figuring her out and would chase her around.

 

[Folly's place]

I am so sorry for your losses; this story hits me because it happened here, several times, when we first had chickens. Awful!
Mary

 

[GC-Raptor]

We haven’t had a raccoon in 5 years climb the 6ft fence.

I have them on camera climb a 5 foot fence and climb a coop.

Notice two coons working to get into coop, one of them on the ground. They are very strong. Secure the trap, if they tip over a box trap they will escape. I secured my trap to the fence with a cable lock.
I used a small can of cat food, fish and seafood flavored with a pop top. Just pop tab don't remove lid. Mice like it too.
Some say marshmallows work to attract a Coon, without attracting other critters. GC

 

[hayley3]

I have them on camera climb a 5 foot fence and climb a coop.View attachment 2239895View attachment 2239899
Notice two coons working to get into coop, one of them on the ground. They are very strong. Secure the trap, if they tip over a box trap they will escape. I secured my trap to the fence with a cable lock.
I used a small can of cat food, fish and seafood flavored with a pop top. Just pop tab don't remove lid. Mice like it too.
Some say marshmallows work to attract a Coon, without attracting other critters. GC

I would see many on my camera...they are like neighborhood thugs.

 

[hayley3]

View attachment 2240219

Wants to meet racoon! Also dippy dog licked the blue-kote off another dogs back. He seems fine 24 hours later.

Beautiful shepherd even with the blue tongue.

 

[esme13]

Everyone is secured for the night. Will keep you all posted. If it comes in my yard, it’s a goner.

 

[AllenK RGV]

your dog is precious !! My dogs were useless today. I couldn’t understand them not barking to Alert us. They bark like crazy dogs all the time.

I agree a person walking in the street is an absolute emergency! Coons on the porch that is so last year, what?

Take their I-Phones away. Or Peephones whatever dogs use these days.