I hate raccoons

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

I would get the hardware cloth up. You could staple it and then put up wood trim around the edges.

With the hardware cloth, I don't think you would need to lower the roosts.

Until you can get the traps and string electric wire, maybe go get some cheap dry cat food and put that out away from the coop so the coons will go for that and not try to find a way to your chickens.

Good luck to you.

 

[Mrs. Glassman]

I know how frustrating it is.

I'm having a coon problem myself. I hope you get the bugger!

 

[NHN]

~*Sweet Cheeks*~ :

I would get the hardware cloth up. You could staple it and then put up wood trim around the edges.

With the hardware cloth, I don't think you would need to lower the roosts.

Until you can get the traps and string electric wire, maybe go get some cheap dry cat food and put that out away from the coop so the coons will go for that and not try to find a way to your chickens.

Good luck to you.

Would this work? Or am I just enticing them more?​

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

I have to say I don't have any experience with coons coming after my chickens. I haven't seen a coon since moving to this 4 acre property 2 yrs ago.

I'm thinking that you have the coons already trying to get a chicken dinner, so I would give them something away from the chickens. Then when you get your traps, put them out where you spread the cat food.

 

[Soccer Mom]

Okay, I have pics now. Here are the insulators. We nailed them all around the top and ran the wires through them.

There is a clamp on the grounding pole. You can see how far ours stick up from the ground. I'd say it's about six inches.

Hope that helps.

 

[chookchick]

I have seen so many of those "cute" little coops that just don't look secure enough to protect from predators. Is the run strong enough that a coon can't pull it apart? Do you have an apron around it, and have it securely attached to ground? Are all doors latched securely (with caribeaner or lock backup) and strong enough that they can't pull them off? There is no question that the coon(s) will be back to try again, so if you don't feel completely comfortable with the coop, keeping them in the garage/basement is not a bad idea.

 

[mmwb]

"Would this work? Or am I just enticing them more?"

It will be filling their otherwise empty bellies. That is positive reinforcement to them. I'd be concerned about attracting other predators, besides the ones already coming in. People seriously underestimate a predator's sense of smell.

Get the grounding rod as deep as you can get it. The more in-the-ground contact the better the ground. The more moist soil contact below the surface area, the better the quality of the ground. A clamp will give you a far better connection than wrapping it, though wrapping may suffice. Some have been known to solder the wire to the rod.

 

[Bizzybirdy]

>>Okay, I have pics now. Here are the insulators. We nailed them all around the top and ran the wires through them.<<

Was just wondering if the racoon would get a shock this way?? Does he have to have his feet on the ground and touching the hot wire or will just being on the wood and hitting the wire be enough??

I seem to remember being told to run my ground to the fence so the racoon would get shocked touching the fence and the hot wire.

I know when I ran a hot wire across the top of my fence with a ground pole it did not shock my cats at all....only ME who had my feet on the ground.

 

[Soccer Mom]

Standing on the roof and brushing the fence should be enough to shock him. I haven't lost a bird since I put it in.

 

[cmom]

I think it's a great idea. I have an electric fence around my coop, run and the chicken's yard. I know some critters have found the fence at 6000-8000 volts. I have heard them scream.