Raccoon Apocalypse

[aart]

Tree in middle of chicken pen that coons came down. Place in fence where they dug under buried fence.

Is there anything on top of run?
Have a few clever and effective ways to wrap metal mesh around a run tree.

Good examples of anti-dig apron installation.
If rodents are prolific, burying the apron ~12" would be good.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/wire-around-coop.1110498/#post-17093528
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208

 

[courtsmarans]

though it might be illegal in some places and seem a little unethical, our farm has used fly bait and coke in the past. we had a sweet corn field that attracted at least 20 of them a couple of years back. this only worked for us because we had no free-ranging animals on our property and didnt have to worry about killing any other animal that we didnt want to.

 

[Folly's place]

Poisons in the open air will kill non-target critters, not ever a good thing. I will live trap and shoot if necessary, much more selective.
Keeping the raccoons out is easier than keeping out many other critters, and is the Number One best method.
Remember that raccoons are also possibly infected with rabies, so handle with great care!!! They also often have canine distemper, and usually have a very nasty intestinal roundworm that can kill people.
Mary

 

[cmom]

I have trees in all of my pens but no problems with coons getting in them. I do have electric wire around my coops and pens and they have to get by the electric wire first.

 

[aart]

I have trees in all of my pens but no problems with coons getting in them. I do have electric wire around my coops and pens and they have to get by the electric wire first.

@cmom Do you have mesh over the pens that goes around the trees?
If so, some close up pics of that would be good here.

 

[Howard E]

A tree by itself inside a pen is not a problem. What matters is if the upper branches of a tree interlock with branches of a tree that is outside the pen. That creates the pathway of entry. Up one tree.....down another?

 

[Howard E]

BTW, I have another question for those doing a good job trapping coons.

Were you using live traps? If so, what baits?

If not, what other traps and methods?

 

[cmom]

My trees in my pens are no where close to any trees outside the pens so there is no tree hopping here. I do have the netting around the trees. I have to go into the pens soon and trim the trees. I have the netting cut so I can get it apart so I can get to the trees.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

BTW, I have another question for those doing a good job trapping coons.

Were you using live traps? If so, what baits?

If not, what other traps and methods?

I find live traps to be worthless for most raccoons. One year I set two traps about 20' apart many nights. One was a live trap and the other was a Duke style dog proof leg hold trap. Same bait (canned mackerel) and never caught one in the live trap but caught 12 in the leg hold trap.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

My trees in my pens are no where close to any trees outside the pens so there is no tree hopping here. I do have the netting around the trees. I have to go into the pens soon and trim the trees. I have the netting cut so I can get it apart so I can get to the trees.

My whole place is large trees, especially the perimeter of the property except the garden. Everything else is solid old growth trees. It is a raccoon superhighway up there.