one dead araucana

[madelinetosh]

Well, it seems that my beautiful araucana hen has been killed by a racoon.

The coon seems to have pushed open the door to the coop as the lock was not secure. Myrtle, my silver-laced wyandotte was completely unharmed but Vera (the araucana) was dead.

I usually let the chickens free-range during the day and put them up at night but now I am worried about doing so.

I don't know whether to set a trap for the coon or just reinforce the coop door or both. We live in a semi-urban area so if I trap the coon there is not likely to be another, for awhile at least.

Any ideas?

A newbie chicken mama here.

 

[silkiechicken]

I say you should reinforce the door and go a trapping. Coon's are pests, especially in the city and can kill other small pets like cats and dogs. They also carry diseases since human trash allows their populations to get very dense. Try to find a latch for the door that cannot be opened by the coon. A coon learned how to open our latch type door.

 

[panner123]

Back in the 70's I lived just south of San Francisco. A family of coons were living next to the school in an old hollow tree. Where there is one, there is a family. Now coons are the least of my predator problems. I can take care of them as the dog puts them up a tree and Smith & Wesson takes them out.