I hate raccoons

[chickencoop31320]

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[mikesbigroo]

a good coon is a dead one,, i say that because i hunt them,,

 

[Land of Lost Toys]

We have coons, possums, skunks, and coyotes....not a great place for chickens to roam. We've killed over 40 varmints so far this year. So, we needed to make sure our 4 chickens were safe.

We used a dog kennel that a neighbor gave me and put a lid on it so nothing could get in from the top. Dug down about 3 feet and buried rocks with rocks on top...we have alot of rocks. AND we put the coop INSIDE the dog pen. The only thing sticking out is the nesting boxes for easy egg collection and that has a lock on it. The fence is tacked to the nest box even though it's tight, we wanted to make sure nothing could push it. The window has hard wire so nothing can chew through it. Vents are up under the eaves also but not a vent type that is removable or able to reach chickens. I may be paranoid, but I do close their door every night just ot make sure and chain the man door on the pen.

As for free ranging, they will only do it when we are around.

I haven't seen any tracks but I have to tell you we spread "You're In the Money" around the area of the garden and surrounding the chicken coop to let the wild things know humans are around. If you don't know what that is put the first two words together and you'll know!

 

[mdbokc]

If the ground becomes too dry from lack of rain (or wire around a coop below roof eaves where moisture does not reach), it functions poorly as the ground and the shock effect is very minimal. Just something to keep in mind.

 

[chickencoop31320]

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We do this too. My son (age 7) is all to willing to help out with this... Every day when we get home from work he heads for the coop! LOL
My husband also helps out with this, he's getting more comfortable about as we go along.

Haven't had a problem with anything nosing around... YET.