Raccoon info? **Warning--Graphic Imagery**

[brooder]

Ok, I read too fast the first time. They carry prey to where they feel safe. Up a tree puts them above other predators. Secure and free range are hard to put together. I don't know any way other than to supervise. And the surest way to get rid of a predator is to eliminate.

That makes a lot of sense! I appreciate your help.

 

[Killer Tomato]

Hunting air rifles are quite effective. Any .22 Cal or larger at a minimum of 1000 fps will make short work of raccoons. Just treat like a real firearm for safety. And the practice is loads of fun.

It's been a while, but I'm sure it would come back to me..... Might not be the safest idea though -- Sweetie and I would end up blasting each other the first time he forgot to load the dishwasher. Been together 9 years -- we still argue like newlyweds. Awwww.... so sweet!

 

[True Patriot]

It's been a while, but I'm sure it would come back to me..... Might not be the safest idea though -- Sweetie and I would end up blasting each other the first time he forgot to load the dishwasher. Been together 9 years -- we still argue like newlyweds. Awwww.... so sweet!

I'm at 18 years. What's a dishwasher?

 

[Killer Tomato]

I'm at 18 years. What's a dishwasher?

Me, apparently. I'm a snowblower when he hands me a shovel in January. (one of my favorite jokes)

 

[Scooby308]

I'm at 18 years. What's a dishwasher?

Your wife.... Actually, I wash all the dishes and have for 15 years.

 

[Killer Tomato]

That makes a lot of sense! I appreciate your help.

Sorry to hijack your thread Riley!

As far as free-ranging, and predators..... I think you can predator proof as much as possible, and then it's a matter of your "risk tolerance" and the quality of life that you choose for your flock.

If you have done every thing you can to make your place safe, AND you choose to let your flock free range, AND you are aware that there will be loss but feel that you have happier birds because they can roam about -- then you do it.

I let my hens free range, but I am aware that there are risks. I am within city limits, but surrounded by trees and critters too. I know that something, someday will happen, but have done my best to keep the flock safe, and they are happy running around the yard.

We do our best.

 

[OhioChickenKeeper]

That looks like the work of a opossum to me, normally round here opossums take the head and neck leave the body while raccoons and skunks tear up the crop/neck, oh and btw raccoons and opossums WILL come out during the day and it IS normal for them to do so especially this time of the year even owls can and will be out any time of day

 

[townchicks]

Not saying it wasn't a raccoon, but I've seen GHO out a good hour before sunset on a couple of occasions.

 

[OhioChickenKeeper]

Oh and the only way to really stop a predator from killing chickens and ducks is to shoot it, ive tried everything I could think of staying outside with the chickens and ducks all day doesn’t work still had a opossum run out and grab a chicken 10 feet away from me, having a dog doesn’t work the fact is that if a predator is hungry it WILL get the meal does not matter WHAT it has to go through to get it, nothing really works other then getting rid of the threat and make sure to KEEP getting rid of the threats before it gets another duck or chicken

 

[Soferdig]

I too have killed all coons BUT I had a baby coon just weaned and was unconscious lying in my woodlands. I have placed cheap cat food in a feeder to adapt it (????) to easier food. My ducks are fenced in with electric fencer top and bottom to prevent any predator access. My hope is to have a coon defend territory with him/her spayed or neutered. I am veterinarian with a need to study behavioral issues.