Mean Raccoons

[FT Chickens]

If you are not willing to kill them, you will not get rid of them. Deterrents are temporary, coons are smart and will adapt.

 

[True Patriot]

Here is how I raccoon proofed my coop. Hardware cloth sandwiched between the boards with heavy gauge expanded steel screwed over top.

Sorry, I didn't have a day pic.

 

[30hensandgrowing]

I've had a lot of success with a live traps baited with marshmallows for coons. Cantaloupe for skunks. And basic trash and sweets for opossums. It's your choice what to do with the animal after you catch it.

 

[bobbi-j]

I've relocated several, after a short encounter with Mr. Winchester

That's the only way to relocate them in my opinion.

I've had a lot of success with a live traps baited with marshmallows for coons. Cantaloupe for skunks. And basic trash and sweets for opossums. It's your choice what to do with the animal after you catch it.

Live traps aren't really an option if OP isn't willing to kill what they catch. Relocation is illegal in most places. OP, I would strongly suggest checking your local wildlife laws before considering it.

Since you don't want to kill anything, you may want to consider an electric fence around the perimeter of your coops. That would be a great deterrent. You don't have to sit up all night waiting for them to show up, they're guaranteed to work if you put them up properly, and any animal with half a brain will not come back after getting zapped on the nose.

 

[30hensandgrowing]

Oh they meet my Henry .22 after being caught.

 

[bobbi-j]

Oh they meet my Henry .22 after being caught.

The OP stated they aren't willing to kill them. I'm glad you're taking care of them properly after catching them.

 

[Howard E]

FWIW, I've never lost a bird to a coon, fox, dog, skunk, possum or any other predator. And I live in predator central. I don't trap em, shoot em, wait up all hours of the night to harass them or chase them with dogs, etc. I lock the birds up and go to bed, never giving them a second thought or worry about what goes on once the sun goes down, which is a lot.

What protects the birds at night is a tight coop that no predator can get in. That alone takes care of 99% of the coon problems. They try, they fail, they give up and move on.

During the day, birds safely roam around inside a yard area that is established by an incredibly hot and painful to the touch electric fence. It keeps the birds in and predators out.

It really is that simple.