Left devastated after a racoon attack

[GracefulBantams]

newbie coops, I am sorry about the ones you lost

Thanks.

Majestic Farm, thanks. Yes, they got birds from two completely different pens in one night!

carl1949, An electric fence is starting to sound like a really good idea!

<----to the raccoons

Volume904, thanks for the advise and pictures too! I am sorry about the handsome rooster you lost

Tara, that is a really good idea! I had thought of setting up a surveillance cam, but baby monitors would serve the same purpose, and be much simpler/cheaper. Thanks

countrygirlatheart, I am so sorry for the babies you lost

 

[4everfarmgirl]

So sorry to hear about the attack! It happened to us this spring too. I never knew racoons can and would kill chickens until I saw it posted on this site. Mean little buggers aren't they??

 

[georgialee]

Grace, I'm so sorry that happened.

Have you ever thought about getting a dog to help keep away predators? I hope you figure out what happened

:

 

[mypicklebird]

Trapping & killing predators is not the answer, it may make the human feel better briefly to catch and relocate or kill the perp, but 'everybody likes chicken' and more predators will move in to take the place of the missing ones. The foxes, coyotes, hawks, ect are just trying to make their living, and do not differentiate between the prized/loved silkie and the grouse. It is very sad when we lose poultry to predators, but don't blame the predator- it is doing what it was supposed to do. Guns, poisons and traps only cause more pain and death. Prevention is the key, force the predators to look elsewhere.

If we choose to keep chickens, we need to protect them. Chickens are 'prey' and predators will be drawn to penned poultry- an easy meal. Good fences (covered if needed) and solid lockable enclosures for the night time. Almost all of the predators come at night, so focus on solid lockable enclosures. Hawks and roaming pets can come during the day time. Do not replace the chickens until you are comfortable they will be safe. It is a hard lesson to learn, by losing birds- but now you know the predators are there- you can take action.

Livestock guarding dogs can be helpful as well for day and night.