Raccoons?

[BarredRocks3]

Last night when I went to bed around 10pm I shined a flashlight out to my coop and saw all 6 adult chickens. Around 6am when I went downstairs for breakfast I noticed I only had 3 CHICKENS!!! UGH! One was dead in the coop with no neck or left wing and entrails kinda spilled, then there was nothing left of the other two besides feather trails into the woods. We had a problem with raccoons eating feed last year but I think we're back for some protein unfortunately. When do you think they'll return after the large meal for 2 and when would be the best time to do away with them? Is there anyway I could lure them in to take em' out?

 

[vahomesteaders]

Last night when I went to bed around 10pm I shined a flashlight out to my coop and saw all 6 adult chickens. Around 6am when I went downstairs for breakfast I noticed I only had 3 CHICKENS!!! UGH! One was dead in the coop with no neck or left wing and entrails kinda spilled, then there was nothing left of the other two besides feather trails into the woods. We had a problem with raccoons eating feed last year but I think we're back for some protein unfortunately. When do you think they'll return after the large meal for 2 and when would be the best time to do away with them? Is there anyway I could lure them in to take em' out?

Def sounds like a coons MO. Though possums have been known to eat a neck and head off just to get at the insides. But dont generaly carry the chicken off to far. But either way. He will be back tonight. Once they find an easy snack they dont stop. I lost 7 chickens in 4 days this past winter. Finaly I went outside at about 11 pm and the coon was hauling off another one of my chickens. I popped him with 22-250. He was 30 lbs. Biggest coon I have ever seen around here. He was stuffing himself on my chickens. After I shot him I never lost another. The coons start their hunt about an hour after dark so just be perched up with a light and .22 and pop him. Or buy a trap. But .22 bullet is cheaper. lol

 

[iwiw60]

I definitely agree...shoot the scumbag. So sorry for your losses. With that said, how did the critter get in? How is your coop/run set up? Can you see where/how it got in? Sounds like you need to reinforce your setup.