Raccoon getting chickens during the day and hour before

[ChickenCanoe]

Raccoon is tasty. Cleaned, rubbed with plain salt and pepper, baked at 325 degrees until tender over a rack of carrot and celery sticks. Even the picky eaters at my work come back for seconds. "Tastes just like turkey thigh" they say, and dig in for more. The great big old ones are too tough for eating. [I have heard that they do well ground up, but I never tried it.] This challenge to the flock could be an opportunity to try out a new recipe.

I would eat a wilderness caught raccoon but not one of these city or suburban dumpster divers.

 

[HotSauce1271]

I recently did the same. An old farmer told me about it at the feed store. It seems to have worked, so far.

That's where I learned it. Lots of chicken farmers where I live, and most all suggested doing that.

 

[clembone]

I would eat a wilderness caught raccoon but not one of these city or suburban dumpster divers.

Lots of corn, milo, wheat, beans, sprouts, and fruit, for them to get fattened on, luckily.

 

[Chelsa'sChicks]

I have always caught raccoons with a box trap and some peanut butter or cat food.

 

[cmom]

I used a radio in our barn. I do think it helped, but this critter apparently liked it. I had a religious talk show on the radio. The radio recently died and I haven't replaced it.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Praise be.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

raccoon IS A FRIEEEEEEEND Not a ennemy

Until they destroy your coop and wipe out all of your birds.

 

[Vikinglike]

I’m shocked that people are ok with randomly killing animals that have done nothing.
If you are losing birds, then it’s on the owner to secure them better.

 

[clembone]

I’m shocked that people are ok with randomly killing animals that have done nothing.
If you are losing birds, then it’s on the owner to secure them better.

I do kill raccoons. But not randomly or on sight. I kill some to eat, when they are a good size for taste and tenderness. I kill some nuisance raiders that get into my eggs, even if they are too big to be tasty. Plenty of room for them to thrive elsewhere. There is no shortage of raccoons in these parts. They have all the corn fields and crawdads they need. Those foolish enough to attempt to thrive on my eggs do not get around to telling their pals about it. Mostly, however, I rely upon my dog to keep them away, and that poor old fellow is too deaf and blind and stiff to do that any more. I tossed him a chunk of sausage the other day and it passed right under him without him being able to smell it. So he is pretty much retired, and the whole backyard chicken situation is going to have to be rehabilitated with a new and younger dog. The old guy remains happy and healthy, thank goodness.

 

[OhZark Biddies]

I’m shocked that people are ok with randomly killing animals that have done nothing.
If you are losing birds, then it’s on the owner to secure them better.

I’m shocked when others think that everyone should see things and do things the same as they see and do

My chickens are quite secure... but I still work to reduce the number of critters that prey on ground nesting birds in our area... it’s just a management practice that benefits ground nesters such as quail, turkey, woodcock, whippoorwills, and many others.... but it does also reduce the threat of a critter becoming a chicken eater too.

We all keep our chickens differently... I know it’s sometimes tough to accept that people are different, but if you work at it, you can get there