Raccoons and day time free rangers, should I worry?

[Charlene]

I know I have a mom raccon and some babies living under my deck. Beyond the backyard, my chickens live in my barn area. They are well locked up at night but I like to let them free range during the day.

Can a raccoon hunt down and kill an adult chicken? Should I be keeping them in full time until they are taken care of? All of the stories I've read about chickens being killed by raccoons were in coops where the raccoons could either get in or reach in, so I don't know if they hunt.

 

[jhm47]

Yes, they hunt, and they will hunt 24/7 when they get hungry. Coons are extremely intelligent and can manipulate latches, handles, etc. nearly as well as a human. I would suggest that you confine your birds till you can get rid of the coons. Good luck!