Help: Getting rid of Raccoons

[awalters0815]

I have lost 5 hens in the last week. I thought I had the coop well sealed after the first attach, but they keep getting past my defenses. I am going to build a new coop this winter and also put new doors on the old coop in the meantime. Is there anything else I can do. Has anyone had luck with the light repellants or traps or anything? Please help.

 

[OwlLover]

Raccoons can reach through chicken wire. Try using hardware cloth.

 

[bluestar.ranch]

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Well I suffered through this for 3 years coons and bobcats.. this stopped them cold.. moneyback guarantee.. i even had 7 layers of wire.. nothing worked.. I am sorry for your loss..

Contact : http://www.niteguard.com/pages/Home/ a solar powered red flashing light that mimics a predators eyes SCARES off night preditors. You can also purchase a cheap $1 version that requires batteries... at ACE hardware.. but this one is best.. Good luck and surround your coop soon.

 

[ranit]

I used to have problems with raccoons before getting a dog. Always had good luck catching them in a trap. I used a live trap as we have a lot of neighbor cats and didn't want to harm them. I baited with eggs, tuna, catfood, sardines - all seemed to work well. Of course, we did catch some cats too.

 

[mrpekinduck]

You need half in. hardware cloth they'll tear through chicken wire. You can try havahart traps just stke them down and bait with peanut marshmallows and sardines. Good luck!

Brian

 

[Angiebubs]

PolishSilkes45: I have hardwire on my coop (1 wall) which us 1 x 3 inches. I am planning on adding a layer of chicken wire over this so they can't reach in-do you think this will work/is a good idea?

 

[SilkieBantams]

I would recommend getting nite guard and set it up in raccoon height, but if they continue killing your chickens then you have the right to shoot them or live trapping them

 

[PoultryQueen29]

I got rid of mine by putting off some firecrackers when they were in my backyard. My chickens sleep in the hen house at night anyway so the racoons can't get to them.

 

[Alas]

We put out our two live traps once a week. We usually relocate the animals we catch. Raccoons will go for tuna, canned cat food, etc. You have to make sure an anchor the trap. I've had them roll the traps to shake the food out. You can put the food in a baggy with holes in it or the foot of a pair of pantyhose and tie it up off the ground to try to keep the ants to a minimum. Disguise the trap a bit with some leaves or pine needles. Be really careful if you intend to relocate. They will grab you through the cage if they can. Possums will scoot away from you usually. Raccoons will attack.

The hardwire mesh is a good solution to keep them out of the coop. It also is needed to keep out weasels. Weasels can get in through a 1" gap and they'll kill every living thing in the coop and leave it for you to find in the morning. I speak from experience.

 

[aprophet]

conibear traps work well too no muss no fuss empty the trap and reset it a coni box is the safest way to use them