Raccoon Eating Chickens Inside the Coop - Ideas?

[bubba1358]

12 inches off the ground is a pretty decent height. Now I am wondering myself how a coon could have made its way in and up. Hmmmmmm.

Iknowright?? I think it had been pulling on, and bending, the door to wriggle in, but I have that bolted and locked tight now. The other side (nest box doors) are secured on the bottom with pins to create no gaps, and a gate lock set vertically on the top. The top opening is about 4' from the ground. Could a raccoon balance on a wood bar and hoist itself up 3 feet to slither in to the coop, then go out that same way?

I am seriously distressed about all of this. I very much appreciate the help.

 

[horsesandboots]

Iknowright?? I think it had been pulling on, and bending, the door to wriggle in, but I have that bolted and locked tight now. The other side (nest box doors) are secured on the bottom with pins to create no gaps, and a gate lock set vertically on the top. The top opening is about 4' from the ground. Could a raccoon balance on a wood bar and hoist itself up 3 feet to slither in to the coop, then go out that same way?

I am seriously distressed about all of this. I very much appreciate the help.

I guess you have never seen a coon balance on a wire connected to two telephone poles... Lol!

 

[horsesandboots]

Iknowright?? I think it had been pulling on, and bending, the door to wriggle in, but I have that bolted and locked tight now. The other side (nest box doors) are secured on the bottom with pins to create no gaps, and a gate lock set vertically on the top. The top opening is about 4' from the ground. Could a raccoon balance on a wood bar and hoist itself up 3 feet to slither in to the coop, then go out that same way?

I am seriously distressed about all of this. I very much appreciate the help.

Anything is possible!

 

[bubba1358]

Anything is possible!

I guess so. I know it's a coon because of the tell-tale signs of the aftermath.

But how do I stop it!?!?!?!?!

 

[horsesandboots]

I guess so. I know it's a coon because of the tell-tale signs of the aftermath.

But how do I stop it!?!?!?!?!

I would allow the dog(s) to patrol the area over night and see how tht turns out!

 

[bubba1358]

I would allow the dog(s) to patrol the area over night and see how tht turns out!

This is what I'm leaning toward. Would an Australian Cattle Dog (Red Heeler) work well for this if he's only in the chicken yard to sleep with the chickens locked up? Basically, would he fend off and deter a raccoon from his "bedroom"?

 

[horsesandboots]

This is what I'm leaning toward. Would an Australian Cattle Dog (Red Heeler) work well for this if he's only in the chicken yard to sleep with the chickens locked up? Basically, would he fend off and deter a raccoon from his "bedroom"?

I would say yes!!!

 

[bubba1358]

Update: i moved the chickens to a new area (mobile coop really helps), and set out the traps again. I buried some fish fillets and marshmallows under the trap and used some fence/tent stakes to secure it to the ground.

I caught the raccoon and eliminated it.

Thanks to all for the help and advice. i am looking into a dog now, and am keeping the traps armed each night in case there are more raccoons around.