I hate raccoons

[GwenReaper]

So this morning I went outside and saw that something had gotten ahold of a pair of chickens I had in a breeding cage. Took one away completely and decapitated the other. I was so sad. They were such beautiful sweet birds. I feel like I left them out in the open. They were in a cage but I guess the raccoons could easily grab at them through the bars.

So I have a live trap set outside my coop tonight. I plan on disposing of the raccoon so they will never kill any of my chickens again. He will probably die of lead poisoning. I had someone tell me to use marshmellows in the cage. Is that good bait for a raccoon?

 

[Bat Cave Silkies]

So sorry for your loss....

I always use canned cat food (the cheap brand) and it never fails to work.

Of course, once in the trap, they NEVER leave it alive....

 

[mlorne]

Canned corn. Put the kernels in a small dish in the cage and spread the juice all around the cage to get the scent into the air.

 

[aprophet]

Quote:
Fresh ear of corn is good too kina shuck it a little bit and scrape it down the side of the cage to bruise the kernels make it smell like corn a little bit. Molasses is my favorite bait for coon and grey fox I have never caught a companion animal using it marshmallows offer eye appeal as well as a coupla handful of feathers or egg shells. I always dig a hole in the ground put my bait in the hole place the trap over the hole centering the trigger over the bait then either put a coupla flat cinder blocks on top of the trap or stake the trap down in opposite corners with re rod stakes to keep the critter from flipping the trap. good luck .

 

[Tiss]

Quote:
I've seen a coon out by my stream each of the last two days. I have a trap and am planning to set it up tonight. What's the best way to dispose of the coon once he's trapped?

I'm so sorry for your loss, Gwen.

 

[chuckzoo]

Sorry about your birds.

Good luck - I hope you catch it!

 

[willheveland]

For coon I like to use a small half of a sardine(the kind in oil),piece of peppermint candy,marshmellow, even a piece of rine from a cantalope will work. keep me posted. good luck Will

 

[Tiss]

I'm just worried about what to do with him once I've caught him. Animal Control isn't open until 9am Monday morning and I don't want to shoot my trap. I also don't want to let him out then try to shoot him and risk getting bitten.

Guess I'll just stick him in the shade and make him wait til Monday.

 

[bandbaustin]

filll garbage can with water, place whole trap in can. Wait for bubbles to stop and then a little longer to make sure. Dispose of animal in trash. At least that is what I have read

 

[b.hromada]

Quote:
There really are more humane ways to deal with this.

So sorry for your losses.