Hello

[mgray]

I started with keeping chickens (Golden Comets) two years ago. Due to various mishaps, maladies and mistakes, I only have one left out of four. I bought some 4 week old Marans before Christmas, and last night raccoons (I think) got into the chicken yard and killed 4 of the 8 week old Marans. I'm a city person who moved to the country and know nothing about raccoons. Will they be back? My husband wants to take the 22 and sit and wait for them to come back. Now that the raccoons have eaten 4, will I always have to lock up my chickens? Help! We did lock everyone into the coop tonight. We thought they were protected in the yard with the chicken wire, but we were very, horribly wrong.

 

[kidcody]

from washington state glad you joined us!
we always lock every one in for the night!

 

[willowbranchfarm]

Welcome to BYC!! Glad you joined.

Yes they will likely be back. Visit the Predators and Pest section of BYC to learn more.

 

[chickenpooplady]

from Highland County Ohio and God Bless!!!

Raccoons are smart. I would lock the chickens in the coop every night so that the raccoons can't get to them. You can ask more questions about predators here https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/13/predators-and-pests

I hope you don't lose anymore chickies. Good luck.

 

[Kevin565]

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, mgray, and

! Pleased you joined our community! Sorry to hear about your raccoons! I agree with willowbranch....check out the predator section. Good luck to you!

 

[1muttsfan]

Hi and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan

Yes they will be back. And if you kill them, others will come. You will hear lots of advice about killing predators, but the only way to safeguard your birds is to make their pen predator-proof, and close them up every night. Everyone likes a free chicken dinner.

 

[Bunnylady]

Sorry about your losses; I think the others have pretty much covered the coon question.

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Welcome to BYC!!

Glad you joined us!!!

 

[myfinefeatheredfriends]

Hello from Ohio! Welcome to BYC!