Help! Raccoons are after our girls and we won't sleep until they're gone...any deterrents?

[GNB1991]

We had a raccoon problem too, lost several of our chickens and a rooster on seperate attacks. Do your best to secure the coop and definitely set out traps and depending on where you are and ability.. the only way to stop the attacks is to eliminate the predators... 12 guage shotgun and lots of time spent late into the night.. my husband finally took care of the family of raccoons who were killing our chickens. We are catching several skunks and a couple possums in our traps now but thankfully no more coons. Before we moved to the country, of our 5 original chicks we started with we only have 1 left due to coons and they hit in the middle of the day. After we moved we had a really bad week and lost several more ~ then my husband went above and beyond and saved the rest of our flock.

 

[smedly9921]

I built what i thought was an raccon proof house and run well i was mistaken, They find the holes so you must do a Good job closing up and making it very secure. I recommend traps. I have them all around my coop i catch raccon and opossums almost every night. but the fact that i put table scraps and assorted food items in the traps keeps the raccoons away from my chickens. Even if somehow the trap fails they go an easier meal than chasing after a chicken. So even if you do not want to trap and then kill them (cause that's what you have to do) then try feeding them. The only problem with that is you will most definitely attract more raccoons. So trap and then kill them. traps are 2 for 24 bucks at tractor supply get them and start protecting you chickens.

 

[centrarchid]

When I deal with such with no dog, then I sleep on porch within ear shot of chickens being targeted. Have good flashlite and 0.22 rifle or other small caliber firearm. When birds start making ruckus hustle over and spot bugger with light and try for back of head shot on raccoon. Livestraps can be used as well but do no count on raccoon visiting those without getting a bird first. Take time to note how raccoon does its business. It will give you insight on how to design coop / roost to be more raccoon resistant.

Dog still better method. It greatly increases odd you will eliminate problem, especially when more than one raccoon is involved. Be sure to wear jeans and proper shoes when doing this. From too much experience I will say house slippers and underwear will leave you feeling unprepared, especially if chase involved.

Even if you do not de-critter first try, it will still come back likely same time following night.


DO NOT USE SHOTGUNS AT CLOSE RANGE OR IN A STRUCTURE. BAD FOR EARS, BAD FOR STRUCTURE AND POTENTIALLY MESSY AT CLOSE RANGE.

 

[kitchenchick]

I can sympathize. We had never had a problem with any coons or 'possums until this summer. Before i knew what was going on we lost 4 B.Orp hens, a speckled sussex hen, and a wheaten marans rooster. Started setting traps and wasn't getting anywhere until I contacted my cousin who traps thru the winter for advice. WOW! It's amazing what smoked sardines in oil will catch!
I will not relocate. If you decide to relocate that's on you, but in my humble opinion, if you do you're only visiting your problems on others. I don't set my traps off my property. I set them right up close to the hen runs, and so far I've caught 4 coons and 4 'possums and they dang sure won't bother anything else here or anywhere else! I whole hearted agree about not using a shotgun up close, and I'll go a step farther. If you do use a live trap and you dispatch the offender in the trap be careful of a .22 richochet. Be very aware of where the bore of the rifle is and where it's aimed. Dispatching repeat offender predators is a part of farming that is necessary.

 

[NovaAman]

DO NOT USE SHOTGUNS AT CLOSE RANGE OR IN A STRUCTURE. BAD FOR EARS, BAD FOR STRUCTURE AND POTENTIALLY MESSY AT CLOSE RANGE.

This made me giggle

 

[downsm75]

This made me giggle

me too lol

 

[aprophet]

I can sympathize. We had never had a problem with any coons or 'possums until this summer. Before i knew what was going on we lost 4 B.Orp hens, a speckled sussex hen, and a wheaten marans rooster. Started setting traps and wasn't getting anywhere until I contacted my cousin who traps thru the winter for advice. WOW! It's amazing what smoked sardines in oil will catch!
I will not relocate. If you decide to relocate that's on you, but in my humble opinion, if you do you're only visiting your problems on others. I don't set my traps off my property. I set them right up close to the hen runs, and so far I've caught 4 coons and 4 'possums and they dang sure won't bother anything else here or anywhere else! I whole hearted agree about not using a shotgun up close, and I'll go a step farther. If you do use a live trap and you dispatch the offender in the trap be careful of a .22 richochet. Be very aware of where the bore of the rifle is and where it's aimed. Dispatching repeat offender predators is a part of farming that is necessary.

molasses will not catch near the amount of felines