raccoons

[Ursuline Chick]

haven't tried the radio, but I can tell you the TV from an open window just above the coop does not help. We have possum problems no matter what we do. Just keep trapping and getting up in the middle of the night to save my girls using any means available at the time. Now you know why the window is open. LOL So I can hear when my girls are distressed at night. Wish I could keep a rooster. Tried to sneak one in, and was successful for about 4 years, no possum problems with him. Then I got busted, now I have to be the rooster.

 

[abraga]

That's my next step is a door to lock it down at night. Right now it's just a trap framed into place with hot sauce all along the top so ideally the only way in is the trap. The dog is a good suggestion too, I've got one but she's just a pup yet learning well. Alerts and will run em with me. Ever hear of playing a radio at night in the coup? Maybe death metal or something? ha ha!

I've heard of the radio...some people say it works..others say that the predators become accustomed 2 it after a while. I've also read a lot about predator deterrent lights..some people swear by them. They r red lights that mimic other predators..fairly cheap on Amazon. I'm going to try them...and get some solar powered motion lights. There's another predator thingy that sets off alarms/noise.ive also heard if using those big blow up things that people put in thier yards for holidays...they move around and scare off critters.

 

[Howard E]

I keep seeing where people try all this stuff like radios, lights, etc. and wonder why. I could have coons, possums, skunks, foxes, coyotes, etc. X10 locked away INSIDE the chicken yard surrounding the chicken house and if these predators had to make it on chicken they would all starve to death. The house is a physical barrier these predators cannot get past, so the birds remain safe while inside. No late night drama and no shots fired. Birds and I both sleep pretty well with no concern about night time predators. That is where you need to be looking if you want to keep your birds safe.

 

[abraga]

haven't tried the radio, but I can tell you the TV from an open window just above the coop does not help. We have possum problems no matter what we do. Just keep trapping and getting up in the middle of the night to save my girls using any means available at the time. Now you know why the window is open. LOL So I can hear when my girls are distressed at night. Wish I could keep a rooster. Tried to sneak one in, and was successful for about 4 years, no possum problems with him. Then I got busted, now I have to be the rooster.

We do the same thing..keep our BR window open so the dogs/us can here any potential condition. I completely lock down my flock at night. I found a large wood building second hand with a wood floor . It's impenetrable...so my babies r pretty safe at night..i free range during the day..and my dogs are pretty good deterrents. I also have tiny seramas..i do not let them out. They have thier own run with a barrier 12" down, hardware cloth..and hot wire around the outside that I turn on at night..however they go into lockdown to at night.

 

[Ursuline Chick]

We lock down at night as well, we also work and have a teenager who can't drive in our state yet. Sometimes it's dusk when the girls get locked up and that has been an occasional problem. But no matter how tight we try to make the cage, we still have the occasional possum (usually young ) that manages to get in. Want to insure proper ventilation as we get the occasional nasty weather ( read high winds ) and the girls can stay in a large comfortable area without being blown around the yard. Guess I will just continue to be the rooster.

 

[roosterhavoc]

Anything short of locking them up in a secure coop at night and electric fence during the day eventually some will be eaten.
All the sprays, peeing etc.. is only temporary. Raccoons will learn eventually and come during the day. Same with foxes. If you see them trap and remove them. It's that simple.

 

[MillersFarm]

My neighbor just alerted me to the problem of raccoons killing chickens. Can someone recommend the appropriate wire for my chicken pen to keep them out? Any other critters I should be aware of, and ideas on how to keep my chickens safe from them? What about snakes, are they a threat?
Yes, I am just getting started, and looking forward to getting to know some of you. I am in hot, humid, middle Georgia!

See our farm is infested with raccoons. And we have our chickens free ranging and when there not there in a very large run with a good size coop. So preventing raccoons with just fencing isnt really an option, Instead we set our traps around the coop/run which is normally very effective. We keep em' out until we stop catching those nasty critters. So ever since we've started doing that we've never had a problem ever since.

 

[mudwoman]

See our farm is infested with raccoons. And we have our chickens free ranging and when there not there in a very large run with a good size coop. So preventing raccoons with just fencing isnt really an option, Instead we set our traps around the coop/run which is normally very effective. We keep em' out until we stop catching those nasty critters. So ever since we've started doing that we've never had a problem ever since.

So, your set up the same as ours. We have raccoons visiting during the day now for the food in the hen house, thats keeping them from eating my chickens...for now. We want to trap, you do, so tell me...then what do you do? Kill or relocate? we are having such a dilemma and our community traps and kills without a second thought. thanks! peace

 

[mudwoman]

What do you with the raccoons you all trap?
It's obviously the only way to go when they are coming out during the day to come get the chicken feed in the hen-house, eventually, of course my free ranging flock.
(at night they are locked up tight and untouchable, but there is evidence of raccoons trying to get in, must be stressful at night in there)

 

[lazy gardener]

If you trap it, you must either release it on your property or kill it. In many states, it's illegal to transport trapped animals. Any animal that has been trapped:

1. Is already a nuisance, and habituated to living around human dwellings, and scrounging food supply by either stealing feed, trash, or killing livestock or pets.

2. Has now become "trap" savvy. He now knows enough to avoid being trapped again.

3. If released in a new area, will most likely be killed by local predators, will not be familiar with the territory, have a hard time establishing himself in terms of finding food and housing. Will have to fight for "territory rights".

4. Any varmint released in a new area will most likely become a pest that some other livestock keeper will then have to deal with. I would be livid if someone released a coon in my area! Occasionally, someone will say that they release the varmint in an area where there are no houses. Hello! If you are able to drive on a road, then there is a house somewhere near by.

Don't trap it if you don't intend to kill it.