Predator urine can work, especially for moms with kits because she'll keep them away from the danger, which is good because they won't 'learn' about yummy chickens that way. Raccoons 'teach' their young, so they learn from those first months to avoid what mama taught them is dangerous. It won't always deter a big he-coon though if he decides he wants in, or not much, but if they learn as youngsters to stay away from the coop, it's a good thing.
I know for a fact that I have a coon living nearby, but he seems to leave the coop alone so I'm letting it be. I'd rather have one in the area that doesn't care about the chickens, than trap him and have an aggressive one move into this one's territory. (I know, I know, some of you think I'm crazy, but it's worked for me for many years here in these woods.) If I see signs of any attempts to enter, I'll set the traps and I keep the gun handy anyway, believe you me!
I may set n electric perimeter too, especially in the fall and early winter when the critters are more aggressive about food. A good zap on the nose is a great deterrent, and since I live in a very rural area, woods all around, I'd have to trap and kill an endless supply of varmints as another one moved in to take the place of the last one if I were to try that. I settle for teaching the nearby ones that my hens aren't worth the bother, only trapping really aggressive ones or if I think there's a sick or injured one desperate for food. It's working so far, and has done so for years, but yes, there's always a risk.
I know for a fact that I have a coon living nearby, but he seems to leave the coop alone so I'm letting it be. I'd rather have one in the area that doesn't care about the chickens, than trap him and have an aggressive one move into this one's territory. (I know, I know, some of you think I'm crazy, but it's worked for me for many years here in these woods.) If I see signs of any attempts to enter, I'll set the traps and I keep the gun handy anyway, believe you me!
I may set n electric perimeter too, especially in the fall and early winter when the critters are more aggressive about food. A good zap on the nose is a great deterrent, and since I live in a very rural area, woods all around, I'd have to trap and kill an endless supply of varmints as another one moved in to take the place of the last one if I were to try that. I settle for teaching the nearby ones that my hens aren't worth the bother, only trapping really aggressive ones or if I think there's a sick or injured one desperate for food. It's working so far, and has done so for years, but yes, there's always a risk.
