Lost 4 ducks- have a raccoon question

[Fuzzbutts]

My husband and I had four wonderful ducks that we deeply loved. Sadly, something lifted a low, hinged roof to their otherwise secure coop. One was found dead and the other 3 were so severely injured we had to put them down. Needless to say, we were absolutely heart broken (still are).
My husband and I are both animal lovers, but after that gruesome incident we were out for blood. We set traps and caught a BIG male raccoon- and dispatched him.
My question is- does anyone know if raccoons hang out/ hunt in groups, or are they more lone rangers? We live in a suburban neighborhood and rarely see wild animals around, so I’m wondering if it’s likely there are more raccoons that need trapping, or if we caught the evil thing that killed our babies.
We recently got 2 new ducklings, and will be beefing up our security against predators.
Thank you for any help/thoughts on the matter.

 

[Welshies]

Put a latch with a locking mechanism on and avoid chicken wire.

 

[Hope Hughes]

Hardwire cloth and locks!
I dont think they live in packs but they will come to the smell of the birds. They see it as an easy meal until they try to get them and fail. Mine refuse to go into a coop so they live in the chicken run the whole bottom is hardwire cloth amd the top chicken wire and have boards running along the bottom halfway in the dirt. We also have the coop kinda close to the back of the house they will alert you when something is trying to get them. ​

 

[CayugaJana]

My husband and I had four wonderful ducks that we deeply loved. Sadly, something lifted a low, hinged roof to their otherwise secure coop. One was found dead and the other 3 were so severely injured we had to put them down. Needless to say, we were absolutely heart broken (still are).
My husband and I are both animal lovers, but after that gruesome incident we were out for blood. We set traps and caught a BIG male raccoon- and dispatched him.
My question is- does anyone know if raccoons hang out/ hunt in groups, or are they more lone rangers? We live in a suburban neighborhood and rarely see wild animals around, so I’m wondering if it’s likely there are more raccoons that need trapping, or if we caught the evil thing that killed our babies.
We recently got 2 new ducklings, and will be beefing up our security against predators.
Thank you for any help/thoughts on the matter.

I’m so sorry for your loss. Unfortunately now you are part of the ever growing club that has lost our beloved ducks to predators. We feel your pain.

I don’t believe raccoons live in packs, however they are territorial. If you’ve killed one, another will assume it’s territory. So it’s probably just a matter of time until another one stumbles upon your ducks. I would get locks on any aspect of their house. And locks that are hard to undo. Raccoons are smart.

 

[007Sean]

Hardwire cloth and locks!
I dont think they live in packs but they will come to the smell of the birds. They see it as an easy meal until they try to get them and fail. Mine refuse to go into a coop so they live in the chicken run the whole bottom is hardwire cloth amd the top chicken wire and have boards running along the bottom halfway in the dirt. We also have the coop kinda close to the back of the house they will alert you when something is trying to get them. ​

They may not live in packs but they do hunt in packs. Caught 3 one night, all bores, probably litter mates. Caught 2 more the next night both bores again. Think that they may have been all from the same litter. Somewhere, sometime I either read or an elder told me that coons only have 4 In a litter? When I've caught sows they were by themself, so I think bores may travel, hunt in bachelor groups? Just my 2c

 

[CayugaJana]

They may not live in packs but they do hunt in packs. Caught 3 one night, all bores, probably litter mates. Caught 2 more the next night both bores again. Think that they may have been all from the same litter. Somewhere, sometime I either read or an elder told me that coons only have 4 In a litter? When I've caught sows they were by themself, so I think bores may travel, hunt in bachelor groups? Just my 2c

I almost mentioned something about litter mates but I didn’t have first hand knowledge. So I’m glad you spoke up!

 

[Birdinhand]

I too thought the suburbia was "safer" for chickens, but it turns out that many nocturnal predators have managed to find their niche in heavily populated areas. hardware cloth, securely fastened and buried about 24" into the ground is about the only thing that offers adequate protection IMHO. skip the "poultry netting", it is a misnomer. I use two locks/latches per door, my hardware cloth goes under and over and around my run. it completely envelopes the framing of my coop and so far, knock wood, no issues. and we have racoons and cayotes and a host of other hungry critters here and there is no way to trap them all. you don't know there there, but they are and there will be more.

 

[Fuzzbutts]

I too thought the suburbia was "safer" for chickens, but it turns out that many nocturnal predators have managed to find their niche in heavily populated areas. hardware cloth, securely fastened and buried about 24" into the ground is about the only thing that offers adequate protection IMHO. skip the "poultry netting", it is a misnomer. I use two locks/latches per door, my hardware cloth goes under and over and around my run. it completely envelopes the framing of my coop and so far, knock wood, no issues. and we have racoons and cayotes and a host of other hungry critters here and there is no way to trap them all. you don't know there there, but they are and there will be more.

This whole experience has made me paranoid, so we will be remodeling our duck coop with plenty of latches, locks, and hardware cloth (or even a step above). We had chickens that were outside for almost 2 years with no issues, we never even put them in a coop at night, they just roamed free in their fenced area at all times. Then all of a sudden we developed a predator problem and lost all of them within a week. We then improved our coop security and locked our ducks away at night (who were our pride and joy), and had no issues for a few months and then tragedy struck courtesy of one incredibly determined raccoon . Thank you for the advice! It is very much appreciated

 

[Fuzzbutts]

They may not live in packs but they do hunt in packs. Caught 3 one night, all bores, probably litter mates. Caught 2 more the next night both bores again. Think that they may have been all from the same litter. Somewhere, sometime I either read or an elder told me that coons only have 4 In a litter? When I've caught sows they were by themself, so I think bores may travel, hunt in bachelor groups? Just my 2c

I am typically a huge animal lover and struggle to kill bugs, but this has caused me to develop a very deep hatred towards raccoons. I appreciate the insight. I have been looking online trying to learn as much about raccoon (and other predator) behaviors in order to help prevent another loss. Thank you very very much!

 

[junebuggena]

Just because you don't see potential predators, doesn't mean they aren't there. Raccoons are very smart, and adapt well to urban environments. Replace any simple latches with latches that can be secured with clips or locks.