injured chicken and dead racoon.

[1acrefarm]

Sorry to hear about your hen. Good luck on future predator control.

 

[babyboy1_mom]

I'm sorry about your hen, but you did the right thing.

Not long ago, I had a coon attack my flock. I lost 11 hens to this thing before we were able to catch it in the live trap. It had killed 8 and maimed 3 and left them for dead.

One of the 3 had a broken neck and my DH and I nursed her for a couple of weeks and she finally got better. She is still alive, but has not laid any eggs, don't know if she ever will again. I do still have her seperated from the flock and will probably leave her there for a while longer, if not permanently.

 

[TexasVet]

I'm begining to think we're in for a long, hard winter when it finally hits. In the past month I've lost 20 hens/chicks/ducks to predators. In three days I trapped and killed 2 racoons (they really do live in packs) and a possum. In three years, that's the biggest loss I've had. I think everybody is trying to build up fat for the winter.

I've seen coyotes running through my place recently and found some HUGE cat tracks. I've never caught coyotes messing with my chickens, but last year I had big problems with a bobcat. With tracks that large (almost as big as my palm), and 8-10 lb birds totally disappearing (no feathers, nothing), I think a cougar may be in the area.

So now my birds aren't allowed to freerange unless I'm standing guard with a .22 rifle, and they're totally locked up at night. They hate being "cooped up" until I come open the door in the morning, but what else can you do?

Kathy in Texas

 

[sarah92107]

The best Raccoon control is a "coon hound" I was attached last night by three coon in San Diego. I've seen them around late at night and as road kill. I have three dogs that sleep inside on the couch,spoiled dogs, but we leave the window open for them so they can make it outside in time if they hear anything. Those three coon where all up trees when I came outside. Didn't loose any chickens or eggs. I have two "Redbone coon hounds" If anyone if having problems with coons these dogs are great, they are so brave. these are the dogs from the story "where the red fern grows"
Great family dogs, great with kids and excellent travelers, But they must be raised as young pups with the chickens or then they will hassle the chickens. I would not recommend an older coon hound with free range chickens, its to much temptation.

 

[HappyRoo]

This is my Coon Patrol

 

[zazouse]

I walk up on critters all the time in the daytime when making my rounds, they are out looking for things to eat, they will however not leave their cover from the woods to go into the open areas where they can be seen.
I have to say i have never lost any poultry to coons but my flocks are heavily guarded by a pack of dogs
This old coon is blind in one eye and she gets surplus eggs from time to time from me.

This fella is looking for leftovers on the game trail.

Just cause you see them in the day time does not mean they have rabies.

 

[Hamstery]

they will however not leave their cover from the woods to go into the open areas where they can be seen.

So having my coop surrounded in the back by overgrowth is probably a bad idea. I have been thinking that I need to go out and minimize the tall green weeds and such that are growing along the back of the run. Good idea, right?

 

[zazouse]

Yea it gives the birds a head start if a critter approaches, The more eyes you got watching the open areas the better for the birds. at least at many place it works, i don't have any pens for my birds not even at night.

 

[dalon8142]

im sorry about your hen very sorry i know you loved him