Neighbors are feeding wild raccoons, now what.

[Pierre duck drake]

Our neighbors are feeding wild raccoons and the raccoons eat my ducks! They have never got a chicken (so far) we caught two of them and killed them (obviously) and we hung the raccoons tail on the ducks cage, it seems to keep raccoons away (for now) so the first time a raccoon came it was because we didn't close the ducks cage all the way and it got two khaki hens and hurt Shadow duck now she only has one eye and she needed surgery. The second time we were camping and the farm sitter didn't lock the ducks up so a raccoon got one of my two favorite khaki drakes named Juneau. (luckily we brought Shadow duck camping with us!) The third time (and hopefully last) a raccoon came and got Pierre and one of my hens, he was my favorite duck and my last drake! It was right before we went camping so the farmsitter sold us a mixed drake and my hens LOVED him, we named him Fenix. We know our neighbors are feeding the raccoons because we saw some cat food out so we asked our other neighbors if their neighbors are feeding raccoons and sure enough, they said yes! Our other neighbor likes raccoons and even has a raccoon welcome sign right by their doorway.

 

[RosemaryDuck]

This is dangerous not only to your birds, but to everyone in the area including you. Raccoons are a major rabies vector (alongside skunks and a few others). They can also pass on Leptospirosis in drinking water/water sources on your property and the surrounding areas.

In many areas it is also illegal to feed wildlife and they can be fined pretty heavily.

So sorry about your birds. And I'm sorry for the raccoons too. They wouldn't have had to lose their lives if humans hadn't been feeding them in the first place. Very sad on both sides.

I hope you get this resolved soon, please keep us updated!

 

[Quatie]

The best option is to speak to your local animal control and find out exactly what your options are. They should be able to tell you what you can do and potentially point you in the right direction.

Food left out can potentially lure in other predators, like skunks, bobcats, foxes and such.

 

[troyer]

Check the laws for your state and if it's not lawful, you can report it.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

the first time a raccoon came it was because we didn't close the ducks cage all the way

The second time we were camping and the farm sitter didn't lock the ducks up

Racoons are a common predator.
Keep the ducks secured and feed taken up each night to help deter them.

 

[GranderTheGander]

Raccoons are obviously living in your area, and they like to eat a duck's esophagus, as well as ducklings and duck eggs. It really makes no difference if your neighbor feeds them or stops feeding them. They are there and probably were there long before you were, and probably will be there long after you are gone. You appear to be trying to blame the neighbor for your dead ducks, when you are the one not keeping them secure from all predators. Cat food or no cat food, they will try to get domestic birds. They are much easier to catch than wild birds.

P.S. I have never heard of a raccoon approaching humans for food and attacking the humans if they don't provide it. That's more of an alligator or bear story.

 

[Krugerrand]

I just felt is was hypocritical for someone with pet raccoons to show so little concern about the lives of wild raccoons, as if their lives mean nothing, whereas her pets' lives obviously mean something. Plus, the owner is feeding raccoons, sheltering them and holding them, all the while condemning someone who might be feeding them. Just sounds hypocritical to me.

But that is EXACTLY the point. There is a HUGE difference between a pet and a wild/feral animal. I'm all about pet dogs ... but if you have a pack of feral dogs running around, they need to be put down. Farm pigs, great. Some people even have pet pigs, great. Feral pigs ... not great. Pet rat, great. Feed it, shelter it, hold it. Don't feed wild rats and if they enter the zone of your house/coop, kill them.

Would you consider a person with a pet rat a hypocrite for killing wild rats that are attacking their chickens or getting into their house?

Feeding wild raccoons is dangerous to them and to people. It's not at all hypocritical to treat wild animals and pet animals differently.

 

[Pierre duck drake]

Check the laws for your state and if it's not lawful, you can report it.

I have checked, it's not legal I don't know why they do it but they should know that you can't feed wild raccoons! They put other the food under a shed so it can stay dry!!

 

[Pierre duck drake]

This is dangerous not only to your birds, but to everyone in the area including you. Raccoons are a major rabies vector (alongside skunks and a few others). They can also pass on Leptospirosis in drinking water/water sources on your property and the surrounding areas.

In many areas it is also illegal to feed wildlife and they can be fined pretty heavily.

So sorry about your birds. And I'm sorry for the raccoons too. They wouldn't have had to lose their lives if humans hadn't been feeding them in the first place. Very sad on both sides.

I hope you get this resolved soon, please keep us updated!

Raccoons can get very aggressive to people if they don't feed them the right amount of times a day! And then they go attack people and their animals because they aren't fed enough!

 

[Gizabelle]

I just felt is was hypocritical for someone with pet raccoons to show so little concern about the lives of wild raccoons, as if their lives mean nothing, whereas her pets' lives obviously mean something. Plus, the owner is feeding raccoons, sheltering them and holding them, all the while condemning someone who might be feeding them. Just sounds hypocritical to me.

Clearly, you have no idea just how much is involved in keeping a captive wild animal. In my state (as in most where its even legal at all) you must have a state issued permit renewed every two years. There are specific housing requirements and emergency protocol planning requirements; inspections may be made at any time and if anything is found unsatisfactory you can loose your license and your pet. There are vaccinations (first of all finding a vet who will even see them), enrichment, and a proper varied diet that must be provided as well. (Not to mention the obvious 15-20 year commitment to everything stated above.)

This is a FAR cry from feeding raccoons in your backyard.
I love raccoons, but I do not feed wild ones because human dependence is bad for them and me. And, yes, problem predators must be treated as such for the good of all of the animals under my care.