How did a raccoon get your chickens? What was the weak spot?

[crowber]

I'm getting my coop/run all ready and I'm using hardware cloth and putting in an apron.

But I'm still seeing a lot of stories about chickens being killed by raccoons, and I know we have them here, so I'm wondering where the predator-proofing is failing exactly so I can build for it.

If you've lost chickens this way, can you share details of what went wrong? Thanks!

 

[cavemanrich]

Often times, peeps make their runs secure, but forget to secure the overhead. Raccoons climb well, so they can climb over most things.
Raccoons are also very smart and dexterous. They can mastermind many locking devices as well. (simple latches, not padlocks)
Post a pix of what you currently have, and we can elaborate on possible improvements you can modify.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and

 

[LynMcLean]

Raccoons killed almost all of my ducks last year by first coming in through the roof of the run and then the next night tearing a hole in the side of the duck house.
I had the roof of the run secured with hardware cloth, but use zip ties to hold the joining pieces together. After a few years the zip ties either were weak or the raccoons cut them. Now they are secured with metal wire and I do checks to make sure there are no gaps or visible weak spots.
The duck house was being worked on and didn't have siding on it yet. I have since ran the hardware cloth up between the inside and outside walls. Also, make sure to bury hardware cloth around the outside of the run to stop predators from digging into it.

 

[Fluffyflufffluff]

I'm getting my coop/run all ready and I'm using hardware cloth and putting in an apron.

But I'm still seeing a lot of stories about chickens being killed by raccoons, and I know we have them here, so I'm wondering where the predator-proofing is failing exactly so I can build for it.

If you've lost chickens this way, can you share details of what went wrong? Thanks!

Using a sturdy wire mesh with small gaps not larger than 1/2 inch to prevent the raccoons from touching or breaking into your coop. Place the roof on your coop and fasten it firmly. When a raccoon can't break into your coop quickly, it's likely to move on from your chicken coop in search of easier prey.

 

[centrarchid]

Weak spot for me is when they have time to test the pen structure, especially after the birds are disturbed enough to give alarm calls. They always give alarm calls when attacked by raccoons. My setting has many pens scattered over a large area.

It is easy, and very expensive to build a pen that can resist raccoon trying to get in or reach into a pen of chickens. It is also easy to employ hot-wire to keep raccoons from even contacting pens, especially if pens are stationary.

 

[crowber]

Post a pix of what you currently have, and we can elaborate on possible improvements you can modify.

I'm building a coop copying the Carolina Coops. Work in progress. It should be pretty sturdy but I'm still worried there will be something that I've missed.

 

[Rainwing]

they opened the door. get a padlock

 

[Birdielee]

This is also my concern. How deep, or how far out does the apron have to go? My run is a narrow strip aginst a solid wood fence. The other long side is established raspberry bushes, kiwi plant, grape vine. Not sure what to do because of roots. My plants are valuable to me, also. Digging has to happen soon. Today or within 3 days or so. I'm trying to finish doors, hinges, latches today. How about laying down the wire mesh and piling dirt/ sod chunks on top?

 

[SueT]

They ripped off 1/2" hardware mesh that was merely attached with staples .

 

[Birdielee]

Oh, man! I'm sorry! I heard staples aren't good enough. Sounds like sandwiching the mesh between 2 boards is one good method of securing hardware cloth. And another is using screws and fender washers (big washers, small holes). I'm planning on fender washers.