help to identify scat inside my run

[fiddlebanshee]

This was inside my locked up run this morning, next to a dead hen. Anyone know who poops like that? It's not like anything I've seen in the 10 years I have had chickens. I am losing 2 hens per night atm and am baffled. Your help identifying this would be appreciated so that I know what I am dealing with. Many thanks!

 

[SunriseChickers]

Looks a lot like raccoon poop, though usually raccoon poop is a bit more log-ish.

 

[fiddlebanshee]

Yes that was my assumption too. Maybe he had too many berries and had the runs? Anyway, it seems i have a major raccoon problem. Since I stopped all the holes above ground, I will now proceed to look for tunnels. I am pretty sure it is not trapped inside at night as I check everywhere these days after closing.

 

[SunriseChickers]

Maybe you could put up a couple game cams to see where it's getting in, if that's possible for you. You could also bait a live trap in hoped of catching it.

 

[fiddlebanshee]

Yes, I have some but no memory cards. I may go and get them so that I can make them functional again. I haven't had predator problems for so long that I left them to run the batteries dry and the cards damaged by frost. I like the idea of a trap but then what do I do with it? I do not want to kill it and relocated is not legal, I think, so then I release and it is back the next day. It must come in through a tunnel, there is no other way, so I am spending the day on my hands and knees looking for an opening anywhere! Given the amount of meat that is eaten every day this must be more than one raccoon.

 

[Acre4Me]

Raccoons are the pits. I also think it looks a bit like coon scat. Sorry about your loss!

My neighbor’s entire flock was wiped out over 2 nights from raccoons. So, 2 neighbors and myself have set traps and caught and killed 9 coons over about 5 nights. According to others in the general area - there is a high population of raccoons this year, so more problems. You are further East, but might be same issue for you, a high population of coons.

Live traps and a .22 are a good combo. The .22 will nearly sound like a pop if anyone e is close enough to hear it. There are other traps you can set, some are kill traps (Conibear) but Can also kill cats/dogs if they roam at night. Some are dog/cat proof like a Z-trap. FWIW, coons like marshmallow, but cats don’t. Peanut butter, dry or wet cat food, canned sardines. Canned food can just have the lid popped but not removed -the smell will draw them in.

Relocating an animal to ANY land That is not yours (including public land) without permission is usually illegal. So, if you do not want to kill the raccoons, then beef up coop and run security.

Good luck!

 

[nuthatched]

Are the orange things acorns, fruit pits or berries?

 

[SunriseChickers]

If you do trap it you could call (facepalm because I forget what they are called) the animal management people for your area. They could take care of it.

 

[fiddlebanshee]

The red orangy things are berries asfaik tell

 

[Folly's place]

If you trap it, then have your gun ready to shoot it!
You can have a pest control company trap and remove them, if you don't want to kill them yourself. A friend of mine does that, it costs, but works well for her.
Immediately, fix the coop!
Mary