Jimbo1164 new member from Grand Saline Texas. Would like to tell about a sure fire trap I bought after losing nearly half my flock to raccoons.

[Blue Raptor]

I see where some are losing chickens to predators. On man said “ those stupid raccoons” I have news for him. I tried a Humane trap. They are too smart. They get the bait (marshmallows ) every time. Even learned to trip the door. I lost half my flock to raccoons. I set up a camera and the little Devil at 11:30 pm was climbing the chain link enclosure I built. I then bought a dukes dog proof trap. They are hard to set so spend the 3$ and get a trap setter. Since may 30th, I have trapped 8 raccoons that will never eat my chickens again. I had no experience but looked on u tube to learn about them. I do not enjoy killing things but one 22 bullet between the eyes does the trick. Some say this is cruel but letting them kill my chickens is worse.

I see where some are losing chickens to predators. On man said “ those stupid raccoons” I have news for him. I tried a Humane trap. They are too smart. They get the bait (marshmallows ) every time. Even learned to trip the door. I lost half my flock to raccoons. I set up a camera and the little Devil at 11:30 pm was climbing the chain link enclosure I built. I then bought a dukes dog proof trap. They are hard to set so spend the 3$ and get a trap setter. Since may 30th, I have trapped 8 raccoons that will never eat my chickens again. I had no experience but looked on u tube to learn about them. I do not enjoy killing things but one 22 bullet between the eyes does the trick. Some say this is cruel but letting them kill my chickens is worse.

Welcome to BYC!!

 

[swampfox440]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.

I don't try to kill every predator that comes around because there will always be more to replace them. I just built a predator proof structure and leave it at that.

 

[SilverBirds]

Welcome to BYC!
So sorry for your losses. Hopefully you can get your coon problem under control.

 

[Tookie]

Welcome! Glad to have you!

So sorry for all your losses.

 

[The Birb King]

Hello and welcome to Backyard Chickens!

 

[chrissynemetz]

Welcome to BYC! We're glad you decided to join us! Make yourself at home here!

 

[N F C]

Sorry for your losses, thanks for joining.

 

[triciayoung]

Welcome to BYC. Racoons are very persistent and it is stressful to constantly make sure there are no flaws in run security. There are some people that have said on this site that we should not kill anything - that it is our job to protect our chickens. As @DobieLover said, I too make sure my coop/run is secure. But, at the same time, I believe that if something is hunting my chickens, I have the right to hunt it back.