Raccoons

[jurisdobes]

We have 3 Black Star Hens, about 7 months old. We have a chick-n-hutch that we bought from McMurrey Hatchery when we ordered the pullets. We lock them in the hutch at night, we have a shade cloth over the top and 2 nights ago I found dirty racconn paw prints on it. Nothing was disturbed and the hens were fine. The evidence has continued for the last two nights that they have been up there but still no signs of them trying to get in. Because we don't want anything happening to our girls we installed a electric fence around and up over the top of the hutch. He still has gotten up on top. I think he is jumping from the fence onto to top. Does anyone have any experience like this? Are our girls safe or is just a matter of time that he will try and break in. What else can we do?

 

[jhm47]

It's just a matter of time till it gets your birds. If you trap it, don't "relocate" it. Do the responsible thing and humanely dispose of it. Relocating is just dumping your problem off on someone else, and possibly spreading rabies and many other diseases. Good luck!

 

[citrusdreams]

I agree that it's only a matter of time. Raccoons are smart and he'll figure out a way to get to them.

I recommend to trap it and shoot it before it kills all of your chickens. If you don't have a gun, don't know anyone who does, or it's not legal in your area, then submerge the trap completely in water (like in a large gargage can or a creek) and walk away for a while. Watch your hands, try not to handle the cage. And make sure the whole cage will fit and that it will be completely submerged.

If you find you can't destroy it, then call animal control and they'll take care of it for you.

 

[wanda047]

So far this week, I have found two different coops in my backyard that coons have tried to get into. One coop door has two different latches. One latch they had managed to get open. The second latch has a padlock on it and luckily, they didn't find the key hanging on the side of the coop or no doubt, the coon(s) would've unlocked the dang door and ate my precious silkies!

The second coop? They ripped the hinge off the top of the door to my d'Uccles coop. I didn't notice it until late in the afternoon and did not get a chance to get it repaired before dark. I locked the door that night, telling myself I'd replace the top hinge the following morning. Guess what? That night they ripped the bottom hinge off. Luckily this door is a little stubborn to open, so they did not manage to get in. Today I repaired both hinges and have a loaded gun sitting by the back door. They WILL be back and keep trying again and again. They've very determined critters!

My advice... load you gun and wait for 'em. That's what I'm doing.

 

[txchickie]

They will find a way to get your hens

Raccoons are crazy crafty and are quite intelligent, it's just a matter of time before he makes a meal of your girls.

 

[dianneS]

I've had problems with raccoons in the past. They used to run all over this place liked they owned it! They would break into the barn, eat cat food, poop all over the place etc.... I got rid of them by keeping lights on at night. We have more animals now than we used to so there is a lot more activity around the barn as well, but the lights really worked. I have one that stays on and a motion sensor.

 

[Crunchie]

Quote:
This. If you can't do it, find someone who will (animal control in our county will take care of them for you).

Good luck. Not only are they smart, they are incredibly strong for their size.

 

[annatsu]

Hi there! Well, I am really new to chickens, but I have had experience with raccoons, and with trapping, so I'll share that here in case it helps. I've had an outdoor fish pond for a couple years. The first year, I saw raccoon prints around the pond, and shortly thereafter, the pond was completely destroyed. They ate all the fish and shredded the thick rubber liner with their long claws. Had to start over from scratch; this time I surrounded the pond with three rings of electrified wire (got the plastic supports for the wire, and the energizer (by Fi-shock Inc) at a farm supply company online). No problems since then (well, except for the egret that was able to fly over the electric wire, but that's a different story), and haven't seen the raccoons in my yard since then either (used to see them regularly). Must've scared them off. The chickens may re-attract them, so I'm considering a similar electric wire around the coop.

Trapping: haven't trapped any raccoons, but have trapped a number of feral tomcats over the years. About once a year a new one decides to make my place his territory, spraying the outside of the house until you can smell it inside; even coming *inside* and spraying the interior (yes, this has happened to me several times over the decades). I use a Havahart live trap, and bring them to the pound to be euthanized. (They actually *thank* me for that at the pound; they say my bringing that one tomcat in will keep them from having to euthanize 200 kittens next year.) Here're my tips: each trapped animal will make the trap smell strongly (to other animals) of fear. Before each use, spray the trap inside and out with Simple Green. Wait several minutes, then rinse with a hose and dry in the sun. Practice with the trap until you're comfortable with how it works. Set it with tuna fish, cat food, or some other smelly item. Cover the trap with burlap or towels (except for the opening) to hide the nature of the trap visually. Make sure the bait is at the very back of the trap (use a stick to push it in if necessary). Leave your windows open so you can hear when the trap slams shut. Many cats (and I assume raccoons) are smart enough and strong or desperate enough to somehow get out of the trap if you just leave them there until morning. Go out there and check. If you have the one you want, secure the trap with wire, carabiners, whatever, so they can't find a way to release the door and escape. Do this without exposing your fingers to teeth or claws. (You will probably catch your own cats once each before they learn not to go in.) Do it right the first time. Many wild or feral animals are smart enough to never get caught in such a trap more than once! (This is another reason not to relocate the animal; not only are you giving someone else your problem, but they may not be able to trap the animal a second time.)

 

[jurisdobes]

Thank you for all the responses to our raccoon problem. So far the girls are still safe but my husband and I have not had much sleep. They have enough electric wire around their pen to stop a bear! But we just had someone come out this afternoon and set two traps. And the good news is that in Washington the Fish and Wildlife have asked all trappers to kill the pests and not to relocate, which made my husband and I very happy. We hope we catch something tonight, but he warned us to be careful if it is a baby and watch out for the mother and call him at 6 am if we catch something. We will keep you posted.

 

[Mozelly]

If you catch and kill the coon ,shoot it, don't drown the thing.
Drowning a trapped coon in a pond or trash can just sounds like the cruelest thing possible. I've had a coon problem ,lost 7 young chickens one night and bought a live trap. I've not killed any yet ...yet. I relocated 10 of the bad boys, every night I set the trap ,I got a coon and finally got tired of get'n up every morning to drive 20 minutes to dump'em somewhere in the middle of nowhere. I've bundled up my chickens real tight , still get muddy paws on the pens,some nights. There are just too many coons. People need to wear more fur

PS: it's interesting to hear that the Fish and game are telling folks to kill the pests. It does seem like coons are out of control here in Indiana.