Last night's visitors-- coop pics

[upstate_nyer]

I think that's sound advice about the trash can, thank you. I wonder how many times I'll have to do this. I assume it'll be like pulling kleenex from a box. You get rid of one, and there's always another one waiting just behind it....

 

[upstate_nyer]

Do you set multiple traps in one night? What happens when one is trapped with another one (or several) along with it? Do they learn not to go into the trap after seeing another one?

And has anyone tried the Lil Grizz-type traps? Better option than the Have-a-Heart? How do you folks mostly catch these guys?

 

[Mahonri]

Yes, I'm betting there are more than two.. Good luck with the water filled trash can method. It should work great.

 

[ChooksinChoppers]

Quote:
For a while anyways.....until next spring

*chants..hardware cloth, hardware cloth, hardware cloth*

 

[upstate_nyer]

Haha--thanks. I have a big roll of it ready to make the apron tomorrow. So I guess 2' sounds like the way to go. Thanks for all the advice, everyone!

 

[vclark321]

How awful for you! I know I have raccoons in my area. I have seen them in multiples, traveling together. They work together with 1 or more acting as a lookout. My property is fenced and backs up tn area between the houses that is a ravine and a duck pond in the winter. I also have 2 dogs and the large 1 is a mastiff. I know coons can be very aggressive and I do not want any type of altercation. I stay vigilant and will try doing anything and everything to keep the girls safe. I have cayote urine granules I sprinkle around the property line and put the dog hair around there as well, and I use my own urine as well. Nothing is 100%, but I will do my best. I am working on random pairs of red eyes that are solar powered. The ones they sell on the market are too expensive when I can make them chearper.

I am sorry for your pain! I know you must be heartbroken. Don't beat yourself up and look at it as a hard lesson learned I work night shift and when I go to work at 6 pm the girls have to go inside. They get a little bit pissy, but that is the way it has to be. Good luck with your efforts. My dogs killed a rat that was coming for dropped feed. All that was left was fur and some bones. Keep on trying...

 

[upstate_nyer]

Thanks vclark. Do the red eyes actually work? Might be something I'd add in addition to all else suggested here.

 

[ctbagley]

Good luck on trapping the coons. One thing I have not seen mentioned is taking extreme care not to touch any raccoon feces. Wear gloves and throw them away afterwards. Raccoons can carry a type of roundworm that can even kill children or elderly folks with poor immune systems. I also recommend wearing a respirator and safety glasses if you have a real mess. Again, good luck with the trapping. We use the hardware cloth (we buried it twelve inches into ground) and also ran two strands of electric wire around the cage. They are the smartest of all the predators and they will try over and over to get your chickens. Hopefully we are smarter? LOL