Has anyone had a racoon attack during the day?

[SandyRiverChick]

I've been warned that Racoons are "around" during the day but I've never read a post where someone lost a chicken to a coon during the day. Anyone???

Ensuring that we're predator proff is always on my mind due to all that I read about and knowing that there are coons not far from our property. I think the reason we have never actually seen them on our property (but close - in a tree) is my dog. I lock the girls up tight at night but they do range around our 1acre from about 4pm to bedtime (when they take themselves back to the coop around sunset).

 

[Missouri Maiden]

Raccons can attack in the day, but I think they only do it when they are desperatley hungry or sick.

 

[fordmommy]

Our rehab. coons were awake anytime of day. They'd play or eat and take lots of naps. Just because they are "nocternal" doesn't mean they are awake ONLY in the night time. If the mood suits them...they will be hungry.

 

[scooter147]

Only once in my 40+ plus years with chickens.
The chickens alerted me with a tremendous ruckus and when I opened the coop door he was in the corner. HE NEVER MADE IT OUT.
He was as skinny as skinny could be and almost completely bald, I am assuming mange, so he was completely desperate.

 

[deerman]

Raccoon out during the day, have a hard time catching chickens.
They like catching them as they sleep.

 

[M To The Maxx]

Raccoons only come out during the day if they are really hungry.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

I think that raccoons deep in the woods are mostly nocturnal, because that suits their needs best out there. But urban/suburban raccoons may change their habits to best suit their needs there. Just because you see a raccoon in the daytime doesn't mean it's sick or diseased. They may just have learned there's more food available to them & less predators about at that time.

There was an annoyingly large population of raccoons at a local park here in South Fla, they roamed around all day looking for food from park goers. And many of those brilliant folks would think it was delightful to throw food to them, encouraging that habit. When they weren't begging for food they were climbing into the garbage cans and swiping all unguarded food off the tables. It was a relief to me when distemper wiped out most of that population. Afterwards you could finally go and picnic in peace.

But back to the original question. Although raccoons can & will hunt during the day, I don't think they'd have much of a chance catching a chicken while it was awake. But it's possible for them to grab a bird that was sick or injured.

 

[Gercarson]

ALL my racoon problems have been at early dusk - racoons that were used to living near people.