predator problem...Racoon I think?

[greytmommy]

we have now lost 4 chickens. We make adjustments, and it happens again.

the attacks are happening at night or dusk (right before they coop up). They chickens completely disappear with no trace except for a few feathers. It even grabbed a chicken right out of the coop right at dusk.

we have been taking measures like making sure chickens are up early, ect.

but last night I had the last straw. The animal RIPPED the sliding door off the track!! My brand new Buff Orp is missing. I am going to bolt some plywood over the hole until my hubs is back from his business trip and can make a new door.

so here are my questions: what type of door for at my coop ramp since a sliding door isn't safe?

do you think it is a racoon?

we are going to try and trap & kill it...any tips?

 

[flyboy129]

Get a live catch trap from tsc or co-op. About 9"w x 12"h x 20"l. bait it with sardines or salmon etc. Make sure the trigger is very sensitive to pressure. Put birds up early and sit trap near entrance to coop.

 

[colebarnhart]

Yeah, it sounds like a raccoon. They are very, very strong and people don't realize just how much so and just how much damage they can do. If you live close to a TSC they have a 2 trap special for $25, but I think trapping is a waste of time and a more secure coop/run is the best plan for now and the long run, because there will always be predators.

 

[retiredwithchicks]

Sounds like a raccoon. We lost over a dozen the last few weeks but finally caught 3 raccoons, in fact, caught 2 at one time in one cage. It was a family, mother and two juveniles. We made adjustments each night and they found somewhere else to get into the pen. They even ripped staples/nails out of the wood to pull the fence up enough to get through. They are smart animals and very determined ones as well. Good luck! BTW, we used dry dog food and most people around here do also and it really worked. Now to see if we can keep them from getting our last planting of corn. They got the first two plantings.

 

[greytmommy]

I will try to make the coop more secure.

This same racoon has also nabbed 6 of my neighbor's chickens over the past 3mths. So it has gotten about 10 total. I think it has figured out we have some tasty treats here.

Any tips on what type of door to put in? I was shocked that it pulled the sliding door out of the track. I was thinking we need a swinging door that latches tight...any tips on making sure it is secure enough?

Our girls are free ranged, and we havent really had a pest problem until recently. Will having my dog out with the hens around dusk help? We have a Jack Russell mix that is VERY good w/ the chickens.

When do the racoons usually hunt? Will it be close to dusk or is it also in the middle of the night?

 

[greytmommy]

ok....the animal found a weak spot in my neighbor setup (pulled a baord loose) and killed ALL her chickens! They were all younger than min..more adolelscent chicks. Going to try and get traps today.

any more tips? The pest needs to die...the frequency of attacks has gone through the roof. I am thinking it is a family? When do racoons most likely attack? How early should I coop up my girls to protect them?

 

[Mattemma]

First time I even saw coons around here was just before the sun was going down.I saw 2 adults and 5 kids going from the neighbors deck to the woods.Rarely do you see them.Night cams often pick them up at night.They sure ARE strong.Some of the traps don't hold them!