Raccoons!

[cass85]

Caught 3 of them (1 in the run) last night around 2:30. Thankfully, I heard the chickens since they're just on the other side of the garage and our bedroom window was open. They just stared at me when I shined the flashlight in their eyes :/. I'm including pics of my coops to make sure they're shored up. If the racoons did come back they weren't successful at least. For the grey coop, I plan to screw the nesting box door on the back shut because that latch is silly (pic #2). I also have a latch for the other door that can't be lifted up but maybe I should reinforce that or add another one (pic #1)? The brown coop has a long rod that pushes the coop door closed and is very sticky so I assume an animal couldn't open it. At night, I remove the food and close/latch all the doors, but predators can still dig their way under, however, I've never seen any evidence of that. Predators will always be able to get into the run so I'm just focusing on the coops. Also, should I get an electric fence? How would that work with my set up?

Okay so I'm hearing a lot throughout this thread about digging. Now hear me out here because this is a pain in the neck but you could help prevent the digging alittle by digging a hole 3 or 4 inches into the ground and putting your coop in the hole so if a predator tries digging they have to go alittle further to reach the chickens.

 

[ehoneybee]

Okay so I'm hearing a lot throughout this thread about digging. Now hear me out here because this is a pain in the neck but you could help prevent the digging alittle by digging a hole 3 or 4 inches into the ground and putting your coop in the hole so if a predator tries digging they have to go alittle further to reach the chickens.

Actually, I haven't seen any evidence of digging but I suppose it's only a matter of time...

 

[cass85]

Actually, I haven't seen any evidence of digging but I suppose it's only a matter of time...

I wish you so much luck. That's all I could think of, it's not a permanent solution but it does help prevent the issue if it happens.

 

[Folly's place]

Right now you have a raccoon problem, and electric fencing is a quick fix, so do it. Rats and weasel can still come in, which is why preventing digging will be necessary in addition to the electric 'wall' against larger land varmits.
Overhead protection too, against raptors, anything works there. Having those trees enclosed in electric will keep the raccoons and opossums away, excellent.
Predator protection is an ongoing effort, because everyone loves chicken!
Mary

 

[ehoneybee]

What about ammonia?

 

[Folly's place]

As an attractant? Sorry, but why?
Predators are smart (well, maybe not opossums) and they know where your chickens are.
Mary

 

[ehoneybee]

As an attractant? Sorry, but why?
Predators are smart (well, maybe not opossums) and they know where your chickens are.
Mary

I read that they don't like ammonia. But I was wondering if anyone had luck with that.

 

[cmom]

Okay so I'm hearing a lot throughout this thread about digging. Now hear me out here because this is a pain in the neck but you could help prevent the digging alittle by digging a hole 3 or 4 inches into the ground and putting your coop in the hole so if a predator tries digging they have to go alittle further to reach the chickens.

 

[CCUK]

Caught 3 of them (1 in the run) last night around 2:30. Thankfully, I heard the chickens since they're just on the other side of the garage and our bedroom window was open. They just stared at me when I shined the flashlight in their eyes :/. I'm including pics of my coops to make sure they're shored up. If the racoons did come back they weren't successful at least. For the grey coop, I plan to screw the nesting box door on the back shut because that latch is silly (pic #2). I also have a latch for the other door that can't be lifted up but maybe I should reinforce that or add another one (pic #1)? The brown coop has a long rod that pushes the coop door closed and is very sticky so I assume an animal couldn't open it. At night, I remove the food and close/latch all the doors, but predators can still dig their way under, however, I've never seen any evidence of that. Predators will always be able to get into the run so I'm just focusing on the coops. Also, should I get an electric fence? How would that work with my set up?

Fortunately I don't get raccoons so I'm probably not best to give advice, but I read a lot about them on here. The only thing I can say is that the prefab coop that you have will not withstand a determined attack by by most predators. If I were you I'd begin to redesign and build something a little more substantial. I know that will take a lot of work and isn't a quick fix but in the long term you and your chickens will be alot better off and safer.