Michigan

[SankofaGypsy]

the raspberry bushes are starting to fruit up... hopefully they taste better than chicken and my girls will get a break! I had to leave my house at 4:45 this morning - my choice was either to open the coop and provide easy access to the coons, or leave them locked into a poorly ventilated building all day... not an option. So, I'm really hoping nothing got them in the hour or so they were open before the sun came up. Very worried about them today!

My neighbor doesn't have cats, the kids just like seeing the coons on the porch. She's new to country/not apartment living.

 

[RBahmer]

RBahmer - Are you bringing your extra silkies to Chickenstock? What colors are they?

Yes I am. They ae white. If you need some text me. I have some buffs in the incubator right now due to hatch July 3.

 

[jrsckn]

There was a show on animal planet about a woman who put food out for her cats and didn't mind when a coon showed up but months later that 1 coon turned into 100 and they had to be trapped and removed because they were getting into the house for more food

 

[RBahmer]

Another scorcher out here today. I have so many fans running in so many different pens it looks like fan city out here LOL

 

[vjwilmoth]

VJ, thank you for the complement on my drawing.. (I didn't expect anyone to like what it was) I was just really happy with the way it turned out.

Dh even knew exactly who it was.

Yay! See you there
At least the chickens were safe

I'm with Opa, least said soonest mended. Just tell the little darlings that maybe momma got hit by a car.
No matter how desperate things seem, torturous death by poison is never the answer. BYC has a strict policy against even the mention of poison as predator control.

Hmmm, well I will apologize for not knowing that rule. But...I will say that killing them in a matter of seconds in this fashion does seem a bit more humane than someone trying to off them with a gun that needs to take multiple shots. That's just MY opinion though. I personally hope to never have to deal with it period.

 

[Olive Hill]

Everyone should expect an increase in pests of all sorts this year. The warm winter means more not only survived over the winter, but more of this year's offspring had a good chance of making it. An increased population, combined with an early year for most wild and natural food sources means there is going to be fierce competition for survival of each species through this summer and into fall and winter. If we get a harsh winter, it should readjust the population and naturally solve the problem. If we get another mild one... next year will be even more fun.

But...I will say that killing them in a matter of seconds in this fashion does seem a bit more humane than someone trying to off them with a gun that needs to take multiple shots. That's just MY opinion though. I personally hope to never have to deal with it period.

Wait... you're serious?

I thought you were a nurse? Did you skip the class on how poisons effect the body? Seconds? Bwahahaha! Right. Okay. In related news, you should all start calling me 'Your Highness', because I'm the queen of England, dontchaknow.

 

[vjwilmoth]

Everyone should expect an increase in pests of all sorts this year. The warm winter means more not only survived over the winter, but more of this year's offspring had a good chance of making it. An increased population, combined with an early year for most wild and natural food sources means there is going to be fierce competition for survival of each species through this summer and into fall and winter. If we get a harsh winter, it should readjust the population and naturally solve the problem. If we get another mild one... next year will be even more fun.

Wait... you're serious?

I thought you were a nurse? Did you skip the class on how poisons effect the body? Seconds? Bwahahaha! Right. Okay. In related news, you should all start calling me 'Your Highness', because I'm the queen of England, dontchaknow.

Well "Your Highness' - Uhmmm...yes...

If I had the choice of being shot 5 times or dying in 10 seconds I think I'd chose the quicker route. Again...that's me. And no, not a nurse "Just" a CNA so I'll claim ignorance.

ANYWAY - I didn't say that's what I would do. I don't actually know what I would do because I've never had to deal with this issue. I've never shot a gun, poisoned anything(well other than ants) or killed something before other than accidentally running something over with my car, to which I cried.

 

[RaZ]

I have a friend looking for a blue peacock.
If one shows up at CS, I have been authorized to acquire.

 

[SillyChicken]

Dh even knew exactly who it was.

Awesome!!!

 

[EeyoreD]

Oh, this one is already gone. Unfortunately, the neighbor kids noticed her missing when her spawn showed up for their daily treats without mama coon. They will, of course, continue to feed them and I'm sure these four adorable little monsters will be coming over for chickens as soon as they figure out where they are. I tried to scare the kids mom into breaking the coon-feeding habit with stories of rabies and raccoon roundworms and ocular larval migrans, but I think my hardline stance on human/raccoon interaction is falling on deaf ears. maybe i should tell the kids about larval migrans - then I'll REALLY be the badguy in the 'hood!

Coons also carry parvo that can be transferred between/to dogs and cats, can't it?

In any event you won't be the bad guy in the hood, you'll be the only smart one. Feeding coons, increasing their number, no fear of people, children around? That sounds like a recipe for disaster.

I think I agree with trapping and shooting those doing the feeding. The problem should then resolve itself...