racoon protection- a few questions

[BlackBart]

Electric wire around the top and spring hooks confuse Raccoons

 

[Sally]

I just lost 4 chicken the past 2 nights to racoons.....they undid the latch the first night and ripped open the chicken wire at the top of the covered coop the second night. I think a locking latch sounds good and definately cover and use strong chicken wire and double it up, make it very secure. The racoon got into the coop and then couldn't get out, it sqeezed through a very small opening in the chicken wire. I would not encourage marshmallows or anything to lure them to the coop, just make it very, very secure.

 

[Carolina Chicken Man]

I have a lot of racoons and foxes in my area and knock on wood, I have not lost a chicken yet.

I think it is more important to have the coop predator proof than the run. Reason, chickens will be asleep in the coop at night, and both foxes and racoons are nocturnal.

In fact, I made no effort whatsoever to make my run dig, or climb proof. As it turns out, my chickens free range on a fenced in acre during the day, so my biggest worry would be a hawk.

Have a good floor in the coop, use hardware wire over window openings and if you have a space between your wall and roof at the top either make it very small, or cover it with hardware wire.

I use a hasp where the piece turns for my latch, one at top of door and one at the bottom. If you are really worried, put a lock on it, and hang the key nearby. I don't think the racoon would be smart enough to find the key and unlock the padlock.

 

[Tala]

Use welded wire on the run, with chickenwire or hardware cloth to keep the youngins in. Chicken wire by itself won't keep out ANYTHING. If you cover your run you will keep out hawks and cats too, so I would cover it instead of hotwiring the top. I use a hot wire around the base mainly to keep dogs from digging under.

Use hardware cloth on EVERY opening in the coop part, because raccoons will reach through anything they can fit their hands through.

Use some sort of lock that they can't open, and be diligent about locking the hens in at dusk every night!! Sometimes the coons will catch on and start coming earlier, possums too, so watch out!

 

[horsejody]

Quote:
No amount of chicken wire can keep a coon out. It is no match for their teeth or strength. They are basically little bears and very strong for their size. Welded wire is better.

 

[chickensioux]

I agree with NOT putting marshmallow in the area and I would keep all chicken feed locked up tight too. Mine is in lidded garbage cans in a storage room on the back of the coop with a lock on the door. You don't want to attract them to the area at all.

 

[voxcox]

What about dog urine or such to deter raccoons, not to be gross, but would it deter them if the place was marked by a larger predator?

 

[chickensioux]

I've actually heard of the chicken "owners" urinating around the area. Only if the neighbors can't see tho'.

 

[nursemeh]

thanks so much for all the thoughtful replies. As our coop is getting almost finished, I am just having some last minute concerns about racoons and of course I posted my questions and now I have a lot of great answers- thanks everyone!!!!

I have hardware cloth over every opening already,but now I know that I need stronger locks on the doors. I plan to do whatever I can to deter racoons. I know they are all around us in the woods and it is just a matter of time before they find our chickens.

I don't really hate them. They are just animals trying to eat and survive. But I want to protect my chicks as much as I possibly can.
I will not sleep a bit the first week that my chicks sleep outside!!!!

 

[mxpres]

after losing 5 almost grown austrolorps to a varmit I installed two hot wires around the bottom of my run,plus hardware cloth around the bottom,plus two hot wires around the top ,covered the top with hardware cloth,the slide latches are ok if you get the ones with the holes in the slide so you can install padlocks,I installed those and put eyebolts and chains on my outside nest box lids,with padlocks
installed an apron around the bottom of the run about 18 inches out with steel wire,plus i purchased four of the night guard flashing lights,don,t know whats working but I have not had another loss to varmits in over a year,raccoons are very persistant and wise killers,they can wipe out an entire flock in a few nights,,and I also use traps on my property baited with sardines,I have a lot of time.money and labor in my hens and will protect them in everyway possible,I don,t relocate,that only adds to someone elses problems,transports possible deseases and moves one animal onto the grounds of another.leading to a possible fight to the death,you have to do whats needed to keep your flock protected because if raccoons can get to them,they will destroy them,and its not a pretty thing for a small child to witness