Keeping coop safe from raccoons

[Big Doggie]

Will it work if i hook up a car battery to chicken wire or do I have to buy some special product?

Tractor Supply has a wide variety of zappers and spools of different wires. Real easy to do

 

[The smith family chicks]

Tractor Supply has a wide variety of zappers and spools of different wires. Real easy to do

Ok.

 

[The smith family chicks]

Can you post a picture of your coop and run set up? That should be a big help for others to guide you on what to do.

 

[rosemarythyme]

My husband said he put up hardware cloth so I guess I don’t need to buy electric wiring.

If it's hardware cloth how are the raccoons getting in?

Using hardware cloth is only half the game. It must be attached properly to the frame or the raccoons can simply peel it back to gain access. From the photo you posted I see a few fender washers up high but from the way the wire is wrinkling in places it looks like it was just stapled on and attached on the outside of the run instead of on the inside, which isn't as secure.

 

[21hens-incharge]

In addition to the hardware cloth there needs to be an anti dig apron around the coop and run. That is wire that is laid on the ground, attached to the bottom framing of the run and pinned securely to the ground or is attached to the bottom run framing and buried 12+ inches straight downward.

That and closing all doors every night without fail.

 

[Nicrom]

That looks great! I agree with needing predictor cloth on the ground around the perimeter of the coop and run. It’s good you have locks on the doors.

Do these two doors have a latch and lock as well? I might not be able to see them in the picture if they do. If not, that could be an entry point and the rock would not be enough to stop raccoons.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

If it's hardware cloth how are the raccoons getting in?

This is why https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/help-emergency.1491783/

Using hardware cloth is only half the game. It must be attached properly to the frame or the raccoons can simply peel it back to gain access. From the photo you posted I see a few fender washers up high but from the way the wire is wrinkling in places it looks like it was just stapled on and attached on the outside of the run instead of on the inside, which isn't as secure.

X2 on this.

I was going to point this out as well. Anything larger than a raccoon could easily pull out the hardware cloth. They could use fender washers all around, or screw scrap pieces of board directly over top of the hardware cloth. Whichever is more accessible or easier.

 

[McChooky]

Maybe easier to add an electric fence around it than adding wood to reinforce it.Not everyone has big predators to worry about but we have bear,bob cats and coyotes...

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Maybe easier to add an electric fence around it than adding wood to reinforce it.Not everyone has big predators to worry about but we have bear,bob cats and coyotes...

My “Big predator” concern for suburban areas are dogs, which could pull out hardware cloth. I’m a tiny female. I look at it like if I can pull out the staples from hardware cloth so can a dog.

 

[McChooky]

My “Big predator” concern for suburban areas are dogs, which could pull out hardware cloth. I’m a tiny female. I look at it like if I can pull out the staples from hardware cloth so can a dog.

Electric fencing would control a dog I would think.