In the last month I have lost 9 hens 1 rooster, 2 pullets & had 2 hurt

[CMV]

If drowning is an option that bothers you, then put the cage behind your car, throw a tarp over it and run exhaust into the tarp covered cage from your car. Death by CO poisoning is not inhumane and is frankly a better death than the raccoon dealt to your chickens.

Good luck whatever you decide to do. It's never pleasant dealing with this situation.

 

[Boyd]

Quote:
Although I applaud you for your compassion, I am curious about the laws of your own home State of Florida, or the OP's state of Virginia. BYC's rules don't allow for us to promote illegal activities. It would be a good idea to be knowledgeable before giving out this sort of advice.

 

[myhensanme]

No one has brought up what I think is the best solution --which is to "racoon proof" your chicken enclosure. We have an occasional racoon, but there are other predators out there --like opposums, skunks, dogs etc. that kill chickens. My chickens are closed up every night. On hot summer nights I leave windows open which are covered with both screen and hardware cloth. Their 'chicken door' is also left open for air movement, it goes out to a covered area that is secure with cyclone fencing. It's more expensive this way --but worth the peace of mind. The most humane way to deal with predators is to keep them out.

 

[dmdhart]

Believe me, I have no problems in killing him. If I could I would dismember him like he did my chickens! My trashcan isn't big enough - I already tried. (So now I have a l thoroughly soaked and very angry coon on my hands. LOL. I've thought about having my neighbor shooting him (and he would), but my best friend who used to be with animal control reminded me that over 50% of the raccoons around here have rabies, and the blood splatter could be quite dangerous. The local wildlife rehab place only takes injured animals (does almost being drowned count?) and besides, they said that I'd have to take him over 20 miles away. As angry as he is, I don't want to let him go!! He'll come after me! And then I discovered that it's against the law to relocate them, because I could be transporting rabies to another section. However, I do have permission to kill him.
This is a dilema. Too bad I can't just let my chickens kill him!

 

[Boyd]

then use a sharp stick.......

I know that sounds barbaric........ but another thing to remember.. a .22 doesn't splatter much.

 

[jessithy]

Yep, if you don't have a big enough garbage can. Go with cmv's advise... Cover that cage with a tarp and start the engine!
-vrooom vroom

 

[taraann81]

Have the person shooting him wear safety glasses and wash up immediately after shooting him. The risk of catching rabies from blood splatter would be pretty remote. The blood would have to land in the eye, or in an open wound( and even in those cases I doubt one would be infected). Also I think a 50% rabid raccoon population would be just about impossible, within a few months you would have few to no raccoons left.

Also how long has he been tormenting your chickens?

Mammals can carry rabies for a maximum of 6 days before showing symptoms, after symptoms start they no longer eat.

I think the risk of contracting rabies from this guy are remote(save an actual bite or scratch)

Also someone suggested relocating him, that is probably the cruelest option to the raccoon. Life is not safe for a relocated animal who does not know where the food, water shelter is in the area.

They usually starve or are killed by local predators.

Good luck. I am with you 100%. I have traps set for a darn mink eating my ducks and I also don't have a gun nor do I know anyone that has one. So I found your thread useful. I pretty much just regurgitated all the advice I was given(I verified it first for truth)

Good luck with your dilemma.

 

[joebryant]

Just kill the #$%^&^%$# thing. It doesn't matter HOW. Dead's dead. Just do it quickly; don't leave it in the cage to stress.

 

[dmdhart]

Well the coon is no longer. My neighbor offered to come over and shoot him.
This whole thing has been an education for me. The game warden would have come if he were injured. Because of budget cuts, they can no longer trap "nuicance animals" They don't ever have traps to lend out. If it were a bear tryiing to hurt people that would be a different story. Our game warden, who is a nice guy is the only one serving 5 counties!!! He did give me a permit to trap and kill him however. I have also caught 2 possums (which I took to the wildlife rehab place, because they had bad cuts on them) and a ferral cat.
Someone suggested that I have a more secure place for them. I wish. My chickens free range. Half of them roost in a tree, the other half in a shed. I am working on getting another shed fixed up so the others can roost in there. But I've had chickens for over 2 years without a mishap until this past month!
I appreciate everyone's input.

 

[CMV]

It's been a tough year for predator attacks. I never had any problems until early this spring- lost a hen to a hawk. I've seen more predators around my yard this year than in the 5 previous years that I've lived here. Good luck. I'm glad things worked out with your problem.