Raccoon getting chickens during the day and hour before

[Skullystjohn]

I have a raccoon issue and free range chickens

 

[SunHwaKwon]

It sounds like you need a dog and/or a gun

 

[007Sean]

Howdy and Welcome to Backyard Chickens.

I agree, a dog, gun or both and supervised 'free ranging'!

 

[TooCheep]

A trap is another option. Though it can't be where/when chickens can be hurt by it. You also need to give some thought as to what to do with the raccoon after capture. Simply releasing it elsewhere makes it someone else's problem and it is now trap-wise.

 

[Skullystjohn]

I've set the live trap already! Either it will be shot or I know this sounds terrible and haven't tried this method yet but drowning it is another option. I always thought that was horrific but after the carnage I walked into this morning I'm considering. If I only did supervised free range they would only get an hour or two

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
Raccoons typically attack at night. It sounds like your coop needs to be secured. Most use 1/2" hardware cloth with no hole anywhere in the coop larger than 1/2" for security.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hello and welcome to BYC. I hope that you enjoy your time here.

This is a useful link to take a look at - “How to...” guides. You may wish to consider including your location (using the guide in the link above). You can use this link to contact members in your area - U.S. States

Best wishes

Pork Pie

 

[SunHwaKwon]

A trap is another option. Though it can't be where/when chickens can be hurt by it. You also need to give some thought as to what to do with the raccoon after capture. Simply releasing it elsewhere makes it someone else's problem and it is now trap-wise.

That's why I said a gun, because even if you trap it you need to kill it, and some people might be okay with drowning them but I personally am not. I prefer to be quick about it, even if I'm mad about what they did.

Not only is it not smart to trap and release, it's illegal.

 

[TooCheep]

That's why I said a gun, because even if you trap it you need to kill it, and some people might be okay with drowning them but I personally am not. I prefer to be quick about it, even if I'm mad about what they did.

Not only is it not smart to trap and release, it's illegal.

Understood, but a trap can be there even when you are not. And although it may be illegal to release in your location, it isn't everywhere. It just isn't wise. Finally, not everyone has a gun and shooting it is illegal in certain locations.
In the end, the solution has to take into account the specific situation. Not everyone can handle it the same.

 

[Chickie pants]

At my place I have to be on point keeping my birds locked up. I like to let them free range when I'm home, but I still have to keep a close eye on them even during the day. In the last few days I've had to eliminate 5 coons. I don't like shooting them, but they if I don't it just a matter of time before they will attack. It took me a while to learn if I don't have a secure Coop and run something will ultimately Kill Them All.