how determined are racoons and rats?

[pymatuningchix]

Have been desperately trying to finish a chicken pen in our old barn as my chicks need space. We have racoons that visit because we feed our outside cats in the barn . The coons visit for the free smorgasbord. We have tried our best to predator proof the pen, but my husband and brother-in-law claim a determined coon can get through anything.

Will the coons go for the cat food as an easy meal and ignore the chickens? The pen is solid from the cement floor up to about 4 feet. 1/2 inch hardware cloth from the top of the solid wall to upper floor beams. Nailed with fence staples. The gaps between the beams are covered with 5/8" plywood to make it solid from the wire to the ceiling (kinda hard to explain but imagine an old dairy barn from the 40's) There are no "holes" large enough for a coon or oppossum to fit through.(Rats are another story as I am told they fit through pretty tiny spaces.) Does it seem my girls will be safe enough?

My chicks are 4 weeks old today. Twelve RIR and thirteen Golden Buff Cross. Should I be concerned about rats? Pen is pretty tight and I think most of the rats are consorting with the pigs and horses in the livestock shed. Whatever, I have to move the girls outside tomorrow because they have outgrown their current home.

Any reassurance or word of caution would be most welcome.

 

[ckhlilfarm]

I have unfortunately had experience with both coons and rats. For the coons I suggest you set traps, and relocate them. Earlier this year we had 3 coons take all but 1 of our Bantam cochins over 3 days before we caught them. We had almost 30 bantams before they came around. We trapped them, but sad to say for them we did not relocate em. As for the rats there is really nothing you can do to prevent them getting into your coop. I wouldn't worry about them hurting your chicks, I had them take 3 chicks out of a cage and 8 out from under a mother hen but the chicks were not nearly as old as yours. Just got to worry about your eggs in the future. Because they will steal them.

 

[Bizzybirdy]

>>Will the coons go for the cat food as an easy meal and ignore the chickens? <<

NO...they will not. Chicken dinner is always the preferred menu!!

I had a racoon that was eating cat food every night until it rained yesterday and none was there. He promptly killed my old pet cat asleep in his house by my front door...ripped his belly out.

All my chickens are locked up at night so none of those were available or he would have done them.

If you trap the racoons please do not relocate them to become someone else's problem. Kill them before they kill your chickies!

 

[ckhlilfarm]

I was going to suggest killing of the coon, that's what we had to do to ours. But some people don't agree with that and I didn't want to offend anyone.

 

[ckhlilfarm]

BizzyBird I am really sorry to hear about your cat, and I hope that you catch that coon very soon

 

[jhm47]

I was going to suggest killing of the coon, that's what we had to do to ours. But some people don't agree with that and I didn't want to offend anyone.


Offend anyone? Imagine how offended you would be if "anyone" relocated a coon to your area, and it killed one of your pets.

Relocating is a great way to:

1. Spread rabies
2. Give someone else your problem
3. Get in trouble with wildlife officials

It is, however, fine to relocate them to that "Great wilderness in the sky".

 

[CMV]

Quote:
Actually, in this forum killing is the preferred method of removal. Relocation is hotly disputed and people get really upset when it comes up.

 

[Uppity Peon]

We have racoons that visit because we feed our outside cats in the barn .

Please consider not feeding your cats in this manner. You will attract more and more rats, raccoons, and skunks. Other nuisance animals like snakes and foxes will follow, and eventually the whole neighborhood will be crawling with them. Raccons are a carrier of rabies and the neighborhood cats and dogs will be in danger. If you must feed cats, let them into the tackroom or whatever, let them eat, and then shoo them out when the food is gone. And make sure the cats get spayed and neutered. Keep all the food secure in metal containers.​

 

[Boyd]

Quote:
You volunteering your yard for all these relocated 'coons?????????????? Just post your address, otherwise don't advocate illegal activities...... K?!

 

[CMV]

Quote:
You volunteering your yard for all these relocated 'coons?????????????? Just post your address, otherwise don't advocate illegal activities...... K?!

Read on to the next posts...

OOOOPPSS!! Missed the smilie. See what I mean about "really upset"?