Raccoon proofing a coop and possible trauma affects ??

[chickenlinda]

I am new here and I hope this is the correct location for my questions.

Last evening we lost one of our beloved chicks to a raccoon attack. They were in a temporary pen and we brought them in at night to the garage because we are in the process of building them their permanent home. How we are concerned about making sure that nasty raccoon is never able to get his paws on another one of our chicks. So how is the best way to make a coop raccoon proof?

My other question is that I know that stress can cause chickens to molt. The remaining 4 chicks were obviously distressed last night and I worry about possible ill effects to them from such a stressful situation. What should I look for and is there a concern to watch out for? My chicks were purchased April 15 from our local farm store as tiny fuzzy things.

Thanks in advance!

chickenlinda

 

[tellynpeep]

A coop that can be completely closed up at night should work. Raccoons are very resourceful, and can open just about anything a 2 year old child can. Make sure latches cannot be opened easily.

I'm sure you will get lots more advice here too. Good luck.

Last winter one of my pullets was mangled by a dog. While she was inside recouperating, she laid her first egg! And continued to lay. So I wouldn't worry about the trauma so much.

 

[Renee]

Hi chickenlinda,

Don't worry about the other peeps. They will probably do just fine.

For the coop, be sure to use small mesh hardware cloth and not chicken wire. I used 1/4 inch. It's pretty tough.

Don't forget the floor of the run. You can either dig down and run the mesh into the soil or line the bottom of the run. You should also have a roof or top on the run if you have a serious problem.

Be sure to attach the mesh with something better than staples. If you can push hard and knock it loose, it's not strong enough.

The main problem with predators is remembering to lock your chickens up at night. I can't tell you how many times I have looked up from working and noticed that it is already dark outside, and that the chickens have not been locked in.

Sorry about the chickie.

 

[chickenlinda]

thank you! We had them in a temporary fencing but had been able to bring them in at evening with out any problem. However, the temporary cage was not secure and we knew that. But during the day I was home and this week was spending each day in the yard/garden. We had been out in the yard and the moment we came inside it made it's move-sneaky bugger!

Thanks again!

 

[Stonerowfarm]

So sorry you lost one of your little ones. It's so hard when it's your first loss.

We had the same problem a few weeks ago. A coon snuck into the chicken run, at 6:30 in the evening and took one of our little hens. Usually as soon as the sun goes down to the mountain I close the chicks into their coop. This crafty coon must have figured it out and struck early.

If you haven't dispatched the coon already, make sure to set a trap (Hav-A-Hart) to catch her/him. Otherwise it will come back for the rest of your chicks. After four nights I ended up having the best success with dry cat food sprinkled in the bottom of the cage.

As far as trauma, my two little roos were horrible upset that one of the hens was killed under their noses and set about to crow and "wail". It was like a mourning of sorts. I sat with them for a little while and they did eventually calm down and go into their coop.

Within a day or two both roos as well as the remaining hen were fine. Only one of them lost a few tails feathers (I thought he might have been grabbed, but it was just stress).

Good luck keeping your chickies safe.

 

[valentinebaby]

Take a look at my BYC page - i have a few pics that show how I buried the wire under my coop and run and covered the windows as well. Sorry to hear about your loss - we have bunches of coons and bobcats and coyotes, so I completely understand your concerns. Good luck with your building!

 

[AHappychick]

Sorry about your chick it is so fustrating, ive lost quiet a few to coons lately. yes 1/2 inch or 1/4 inch harware cloth and if you dont want to dig it in you can make an L shape at the bottom at least 12 inches from bottom out and fasten to the earth with lawn staples (those big U things that you hammer in) and if the run is going to be open to the coop then think about hot wire as well. believe it or not you are lucky you did not loose all of them I lost 12 ducks in one night.

Good Luck!

 

[chickenlinda]

wow Valentinebaby, your coop is amazing! My daughter loved the hearts in the window.

We are burying the wire and my husband is quite handy and likes to do things just right so when our coop is done it's going to be secure. I can't wait to have that peace of mind.

Our remaining 4 chicks were very upset that night of and it seemed they were clamoring to get near me for comfort when I checked on them to make sure none of them had any injuries. They seem to be doing fine.

Thanks again for the great advice and kind words!

 

[clucky2]

Hi chickenlinda,

One word of caution. Years ago, we didn't get our hens locked in on time and lost one to a coon. Well the rest of the hens really wised up to the coons and began roosting in the trees around early afternoon until dusk when we'd go out to put them to bed. This worked nicely, but after awhile we added a new hen ( a silkie ), who didn't know about this routine, and on her very first afternoon with us a raccoon snuck into the yard,(it was 4:00), grabbed her and left a trail of white feathers down to the creek. This was so upsetting to our family we said no more chickens. We felt so outsmarted by that raccoon, and couldn't bare to lose another pet chicken.

Well, 15 years later we have chickens again, and a coop and pen built like fort knox. We've since moved to a new part of town, but there are raccoons galore and a neighbor who feeds them! (this is another subject altogether. ) We let our chickens out in the yard for some "free time" to rome around, but our yellow lab is out there with them, and this helps us feel they are somewhat protected.

I guess my cautionary word to you is.....once a raccoon has gotten one of your chickens, be as wary as you need to be, as it will be back!