How to protect against a coon immediatly

[Eleanor C]

I have a family of racoons that keep coming in and they have killed over half my flock of 35 I cannot seem to figure out how they are getting in. Could they be living in my coop without me knowing?

 

[DobieLover]

It's highly unlikely they are living in your coop without you knowing. Do you have any pictures of your coop and how it is secured?

 

[Eleanor C]

I unfortunately cannot upload any pictures right now. My chickens are free range so sometimes they will sleep up on the rafters instead of in the coop. But because my coop is so big it is just a wooden base secured with chicken wire all around. I know my description probably won't help but I was just wondering if anyone knew any special tricks to keep coons away.

 

[Melky]

The recommendation is to use hardware cloth 19g 1/2 inch as a 24 inch apron around base of coop and run. Can put grass back over or landscape around. Some use large landscaping rocks around base as well as HWC. Same hardware cloth used up sides or over windows or vents if have open areas. Roofed coop/ run is best.

 

[Eleanor C]

Thank you! I will try that in the meantime I am setting up traps and trying to get some of my non athletic chickens into a smaller safer coop.

 

[DobieLover]

Well, chicken wire will never keep a racoon out. And unfortunately, they will keep coming back until you have no chickens left.
You really should replace all the CW with 1/2" hardware cloth and secure all doors with something like a carabiner. You'd be surprised what a racoon can do with those little hands.

 

[ChickenLeg]

Bottle of whiskey and a shot gun, camp out in the coop and let them know who theyre messing with!

 

[Melky]

I use predator lights nightguard on each end of coop facing woods. They are solar and only need to change once a year. I have had one coon come across my deck and my dog scared it off. Didn’t bother the chickens. I also keep a solar lantern hanging outside my coop. Lights seem to deter predators. Mine free range but only when I am out to watch. They go in coop at night.

 

[hillbilly91]

Trapping or killing in my opinion

 

[Chickassan]

I'm all for getting them drunk and shooting them.

Bottle of whiskey and a shot gun, camp out in the coop and let them know who theyre messing with!

Seriously though trap and dispatch. Raccoons cannot be played with, they've got to go.