Raccoon dangerous to Geese?

[Nicophorus]

I've lost count of how many racoons ive trapped and gotten rid of, its futile. I dont bother anymore with the traps and instead trust in VERY secure nighttime houseing for all my fowl except my emus, and even them im semi worried about since they are juveniles and only about four feet high or so.

I do have a Donkey (not in same field as fowl) and have not lost any goat kids yet to predators. So its either luck so far or she keeps things away at night.

But do yourself a favor and invest in a secure nighttime sleeping area for the birds, its the only way.

The second thing ive done that has had the biggest impact on stoping predation is removing hideing places, like low lying tree limbs, bushes going all the way to the ground, heavy vines on the fence going all the way to the ground, etc. I lost SEVERAL birds in the middle of the day due to what turns out were bobcats creeping from bush to bush after jumping the fence and grabing birds. Soon as I trimmed everything up and the bobcats had nowhere to hide and would be spotted jumping the fence into a open area with no cover.. they gave up.

So very secure houseing for after dark, and remove exessesive ground cover that daytime predators would use to creep with.

 

[shedd41]

Have had to deal with this recently. Only have my oldest (smartest) hen left. Tried different (read: humane) approaches, but unfortunately the best solution I've found is to eliminate the Raccoon problem at the source. They call it 'Coon die Soon', GOLDEN MALRIN. Just mix with regular cheap soda pop, place out in ceramic bowls where you have witnessed activity
and they find it irresistible. My cat completely ignores it. I go out prior to the dog in the am and either remove a carcass, or cover the bowl to allow the dog access to the yard. And even if I had no dog I would secure the bowl until the evening. It's a bit of a choice, but I take solace in my buddy across town feeding his raccoon family. As long as they stay in his neighborhood.

 

[Trefoil]

I have to agree with nicophorus on this, unless your business is trapping,its a waste of effort for too little payback. His suggestions are the only thing that really work. If maintained, electric wire also works. In the long run its easier and more efficient to predator proof a relatively small area than it is to rid the world of predators. Aside from that you really don't want to poison your chickens and any other pet you have around.

 

[goosemommy0824]

I am back down to one goose this time it dug under the fence and got in the pin and killed my gander and one of my females. Im so heartbroken. My one that is left is very lucky I believe my gander protected her until he suffered his fate her eye and face are swollen and she has bite marks on her will post a pic

 

[goosemommy0824]

Im so upset for her she calls for them and looks so lost

 

[goosemommy0824]

Sorry i realized Im not on my post

 

[Miss Lydia]

@goosemommy0824 Id say by looking at your goose she should be on antibiotics. Her face looks pretty bad. I am so sorry you lost your gander and goose you really need to make your run very secure and get your remaining goose some friends they can grieve themselves to death.

 

[goosemommy0824]

We are workimg on that this weekend right now she is safe what antibiotics would you reccomend. I am out of luck until next season to get her a friend only hens is all i have left

 

[Miss Lydia]

Baytril would be a good one maybe even Penicillin lets see if @casportpony has recommendations. Sorry I am not getting tags or alerts very often. How is she doing today? @goosemommy0824

 

[goosemommy0824]

Shes feeling better swelling down tremendously I have a lady giving me 2 ducks today to keep her company. Roosters go in and peak at her pretty much checking in on her but bugging her at the same time lol