Lost two or three guineas to a raccoon attack last night, and it was my fault. Vashi said there was a small raccoon near the poultry pens yesterday morning, and I intended to set a trap for it. Our electricity went off at 6 last night and was off until 7:30, and by then, between the confusion of electricity and pain of knee, I didn't follow through on setting the trap. It (they?) got the two guineas that were put up for the night, and maybe one of the three that arefused to go in. That leaves us with only two; possibly three adults and the five keets that are in the house. I feel terrible that I didn't follow through.
What is good to bait a trap for raccoons that won't attract cats? I've baited only once before, with tuna, and was successful. However, the half feral cat population (next-door-neighbors) has increased since then. Do marshmallows attract them, or is that some other animal? Must set the trap tonight and several other nights.
The only positive thing about this attack is that they could easily have gotten some of my best silkies, but didn't. Apparently the two (or three) guineas were enough. One was eaten completely; the other mostly.