Injured Raccoon - What to do?

[jhc]

Shoot it!

 

[bluey]

I'd also vote to kill it. One less pest.

 

[Lolliegee]

Wow, some very interesting replies. I do realize that they aren't the cute little critter depicted in cartoons. They can be vicious and nasty when threatened. I have no plans to touch this raccoon, I just don't want it touching my chickens. I posted a question on a local board and was given a number for a wild life rescue. I have left a message. Hopefully, someone will get back to me soon. Unfortunately, killing it isn't an option, as I don't have a gun (though this is one of things my husband and I'd like to remedy in the near future).

The post about the Raccoon Roundworm is scary to me, as I have a 14 month old baby myself. Fortunately, it's cold out right now, so we haven't been spending much time in the back yard right now. But, it definitely makes me want to make sure we get rid of this critter. And soon!

Thanks for all the advice. I'll post with updates as I have them.

Oh and the article on eating them?? Interesting, I've always said I'd try anything once, but I think I'd be afraid of their diseases, even if it's been well cooked.

 

[4 Love of Baby Chickens]

!!!!! Also see if you can a big live trap and bait it with a banana. Within a few days you should catch that coon. Since you don't have a gun drown it in a big barrel of water. Then wearing gloves bury it in a 2 ft hole. Put a big flat rock over the top to prevent other critters from digging the coon up.

 

[chickeepoo]

I agree with xKE4, and be cautious. Also, Distemper isn't the only reason you'll see a raccoon in the daytime… a female with kits will often opt to hunt during the daylight when there are less predators that would be out to attack her young, then she'll return and protect them at night. A raccoon with young is even more dangerous than a lone one. Unfortunately, another dangerous thing about raccoons is they are the only known animal that can be infected/carry rabies and transmit them without dying from this disease… let animal services take care of this problem, and be safe.

 

[CochinLover]

coonies, well wild coonies do their own thing unless u happen to have kitty or dog food out, a pond, or yummy chickens. If ur coon is sick and wounded and can barely move away from u then it will not go after ur birds. most likely the coon is hurt real bad and is prob lethargic, infected, and not feeling good enough to eat. If their is a wildlife rescue plz call them first as by law they cannot contact the authorites over ur birds to animal control. its none of their business. Dont bother calling animal control unless u dont have a wildlife trapper in ur area. Though again by law if a trapper comes to get the coon by law they have to euth. it . the only hope it has is a wildlife rehab facility. if animal control, trapper, or police come out, euth. which of course if coonie is real bad might be best. Away to test if the coon is a rish to ur chickens. put some cat food out. if it eats it. u are probably at risk and need to defend ur flock accordingly but again the coon is hurt so ur prob do not have to build fort knox.

Hope this helps. I wish the coonie the best. And I hope no harm comes to u or ur birdies.


*also trapper should not contact anyone about ur chickens. Again Its none of their business and often they have illegal pets themselves.

 

[cw]

i would try to trap it and release it and let nature take its course

 

[justusnak]

I just wanted to touch bases on your original concern. The "hook and eye latch" Is as easy for them to open as it is for you. They are very agile with those little fingers. You may want to put a padlock on the door. Unless they have a key, they wont get in. Check the ground level of your coop, make sure it can not dig under. And, most of all...be carefull. An injured animal will attack.

 

[Brunty_Farms]

I agree to killing it.


If the raccoon is around your property and is fearless of you, more than likely it has a problem. Either rabbies or some other disease. It poses a great threat to your family and birds.

If you do anything call someone, try the police if you don't have a game warden. Tell them you suspect a raccoon to have rabbies and they will take care of the rest for you.

 

[pascopol]

Quote:
Yes, coons are vermin and should be treated as such.