Lost 4 ducks- have a raccoon question

[Fuzzbutts]

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.

They are extremely smart (and evil)! I could see where it attempted multiple times to get into the coop, before finally figuring out how to lift a low, hinged roof that was quite heavy (and of course not a single one of my 4 dogs alerted to any of this). I wasn't sure how a raccoon could have lifted it, until I saw the size of him- easily twice as large as any other raccoon I have seen.
Needless to say our new ducks will be living in Fort Knox (or if I get too worried, they will sleep in our garage at night. lol)

 

[Miss Lydia]

Very sorry for your losses, some excellent advice given.

 

[junebuggena]

I've had them sit in trees (during the day), and drop down onto chickens that happen to wander close enough. Most people seriously underestimate their abilities.

 

[itsasmallfarm]

as far as i know they are group animals, one year we caught 7 in the summer using havaharts traps, and just last year we got 3. in 3 days. i now use duke DP coon traps.

 

[Fuzzbutts]

I've had them sit in trees (during the day), and drop down onto chickens that happen to wander close enough. Most people seriously underestimate their abilities.

I'm so sorry to hear that, that sounds like something straight out of a horror movie to me! Poor little things...
I'm lucky because there isn't really anywhere near the coop that a predator can use to hide in and pounce on my ducks, which, I'm sure, helps prevent any daytime attacks.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I've seen males by themselves and mamas with young they are very determined. Before we got poultry I use to think they were cute.

 

[Fuzzbutts]

I've seen males by themselves and mamas with young they are very determined. Before we got poultry I use to think they were cute.

I used to think they were cute too! I even endearingly call my husband "trash panda" (raccoon), because he raccoon's around in our kitchen. But after seeing the carnage one, albeit LARGE, raccoon can do, I have lost all warm-fuzzies I had for the animal.
It truly is amazing how determined they can be and how good they are at problem solving.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I am so thankful I have never lost one of my water fowl to a predator. A few chickens who went over the fence during the day and never came home but I know we have tons of preds. so always in the back of my mind. Mainly hawks during the day. although we have seen Raccoons around during the day too also foxes and coyotoes. So we can never let our guard down.

 

[pamelajean]

Sorry to hear of your loss. I just had my first loss yesterday to a bobcat. It jumped clear over my electric net fencing. I also have a low hinged roof on my coop that is quite heavy and I have assumed only maybe a bear could lift it. Now my eyes have been opened and I will be installing some kind of latch/clip on it as soon as I can!

 

[Fuzzbutts]

I am so thankful I have never lost one of my water fowl to a predator. A few chickens who went over the fence during the day and never came home but I know we have tons of preds. so always in the back of my mind. Mainly hawks during the day. although we have seen Raccoons around during the day too also foxes and coyotoes. So we can never let our guard down.

It was one of the single most heart-breaking things I have experienced, and I am determined to keep my two new ducks safe and sound.
I was actually wondering if anyone knew if raccoons were active during the day at all... I suppose that answers my question . We also have coyotes near our neighborhood, but I have never seen them venture into the streets, thankfully. Although I feel my 4 dogs wouldn't miss the presence of a coyote in my yard.