my first raccoon attack, and totally my fault

[lurky]

So sorry for your loss

 

[OrpingtonManor]

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It was hanging in the tree, so I just kept squirting it as it ran from limb to limb, and then climbed a taller tree. I kept at it for about 10 minutes, when it decided it needed to leave, so climbed down, even as I squirted it. Then, it ran across my neighbors yard and out of sight.

I have the hose ready for round 2, and a shovel if it dares to get that close to me.

 

[OrpingtonManor]

Quote:
thanks.

the other night was so sad, but tonight, I'm just mad.

 

[lurky]

Quote:
thanks.

the other night was so sad, but tonight, I'm just mad.

I let a broody hatch 2 eggs this spring. I usually put them in a cage for safe keeping from the flock for a week or 2.
I figured with only 2, she would be able to take care of them. Well it seems mama saw an egg in the next over nest box, and went to sit on it, leaving
her babies. One tried to get to her, and got wedged between the boxes. The flock got the other one. The wedged one was limp and cold, but breathing.
I put it under her and it came back. But the one the flock got just broke my heart. I have no doubt that the way i felt is what your going through now.
I would wish it on nobody. But we all are human and this stuff happens. We learn, and it hurts sometimes........

Just know that your not alone in how you feel, We know

 

[MakNugget]

Quote:
thanks.

the other night was so sad, but tonight, I'm just mad.

As one of my deterrents for anything curious, I have a Scarecrow sprinkler hooked up to a digital water timer set from 9pm to 5 am. I got it off amazon for about 45 bucks I think, the timer from amazon as well, but can't remember what brand it was. It's the one you can detach to program and slide back on.

Anyway, the scarecrow is basically a sprinkler head attached to a variable motion sensor powered by a 9v battery. You can see it in action on YouTube.

We have raccoons and opossums in our area that I know of, but havnt seen any recently. We do have a ton of stray cats that like our yard since we have a big lot with lush greenery,but I must say haven't seen much of them at ALL since I installed the one by the run a few weeks ago. Actually, now I think on it more.. I would definitely see at least 1-5 a DAY in our yard before, and I can't remember the last time I saw them since installing it.

I'm rambling, but I figure something like this would be a relatively inexpensive way to make your yard less appealing to the wandering scavenger.

Sorry for your loss. I would be a complete mess if I were I your shoes.