New member needs Raccoon control help

[mstexchick]

I just joined BYC 5 minutes ago....need innovative ideas re: raccoons, how to get rid of them.
I have a flood light and radio on photo cell that was working well...however, last night they came back and tore off wood to get in and made off with another of my hens. We have re-inforced the chicken yard and coop and and couldn't believe they ripped off the wood. We have had chickens for 23 years and never had this problem to this extent. Their tracks were unmistakable..definitely raccoons. ANY SUGGESTIONS ?

 

[danielbrown]

Use a trap or wait around at with a gun a good distance away but with a good view of the coop.

 

[Leah-yes I know I'm crazy]

Welcome! If you can't get away with shooting it sometimes your local ag extension office, animal controol, or dnr office can loan you a trap. Good luck!

 

[SoJoChickens]

Here is a successful trap story:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=171690

 

[bgreen65]

About a month ago I started having coon problems, tore the chicken wire off the door to my run. He did not get in the hen house. I set a big trap that I got at Tractor supply. I covered it so they could not reach in. Baited it with a oreo cookie, caught one, then I started alternating with weiners. I have now dispatched 35 coons, three fox, 4 skunks, 3 feral cats, & one snake with the nest egg. I don't when I will get them all, but I get something every night. I think I am gaining on them.

 

[Sequin]

How about running hot wire around the coop at a few different levels? A bit off the ground as well as around the top should help deter those buggers! You only need to turn it on at night so the chickens will be safe.

 

[Tala]

Quote:
Unless you have dogs. I run hot wire as much for dogs in the daytime as raccoons at night. I close my babies inside at night, but if raccoons start ripping the WOOD off my coop then I'm gonna hafta step up the electrical system!!

 

[Bizzybirdy]

Coons are VERY clever. Only way I have ever stopped one was with my 20g. Have to sit outside sometimes for hours~sometimes all night but they always come back.

Am doing that now looking for one that just killed one of my roosters and a hen. I do lock all my chickens up at night but I was ill one time and a couple got out and into a tall tree to roost.

Now only way I will not go out and make sure they are all in is if I am on my death bed.

Your racoon must be pretty persistant to tear off a board. Hope you get him soon.

 

[conny63malies]

i got the idea from a garden with a chicken run on the out side.

the basic idea is the chicken are fenced in but you dont want the poultry and the dog together.
along the outside of the chicken area run a second second fence with door dog house and everything and let the dog run in there.
imagine the chicken run as a large rectangle with a larger rectangle surronding it. the dog goes between the two fences. should keep any preds out.

 

[antlers]

Live trap bated with cat food works wonders for me but it is not for all I know.