Racoons - LOTS of them

[Wildsky]

OK, we've known for a while something has been prowling around at night, my husband saw a racoon a few nights ago - but tonight was the kicker - 5 racoons in my apple tree.

I don't want to KILL them, so far they're only after the apples, and only visit after dark once the chickens are closed in for the night.

A friend has offered the use of his live trap, or his dog (which will kill the racoons)

I don't know what to do, I'll probably go with the live trap - and move em one at a time. The guy said to take them over the river and they won't come back (he lives on the other side of the river - I said THANKS now I know where these came from!!!)

Any suggestions tips etc?

 

[nnbreeder]

Please do not relocate them. they will only be someone else's problem.

 

[Wildsky]

Quote:
Then I leave them here?

 

[cyrixlord]

I imagine is that the implication is to cull them so that they are not a threat to you or your neighbors.

 

[Wildsky]

Someone gave me a good suggestion to try via a PM - so I iwll do that as it does not involve killing them (or trapping them)

 

[mikeksfarmer]

I used to think Raccoons were cute. This summer Raccoons ate half my chickens while the other half watched. Apples are sweet and easy right now. Sooner or later they will get at your chickens. You only saw 5. You didnt see the others scoot under the bushes or run off ahead of your lights. Any place you would relocate them there are already raccoons so dont relocate them. Chances are you have a higher population than what would be found in the woods because you or your neighbors provide shelter and at least some food for them. Grain out for horses, Decks close to the ground, Old sheds and barns unused? Feed the dog/cat out side piles of dry dog/cat food?? Since you care, try first to use prevention; shore up your chicken protection. Make sure the wire is tight/ no holes. Shut your chickens in every night. remove food items that may encourage raccoons, remove nesting/Denning oppurtunities. Prey for the resolve to deal with whats coming, and it is coming. One day you will go out to find bloody feathers scattered on the floor of your coop, half eaten chickens, some might be limping or even too bloody to survive. Racoons are great at pulling chickens through the wire and eating them a piece at a time. Racoons wont be cute then. I dont hate racoons I just know what they can do. I also know there is no shortage of them. I get far more return out of my chickens than I do my racoons. Good luck!

 

[Stimpy]

Quote:
Does the third option include feeding them your chickens? Because that's how it will end. Do yourself a favor and shoot them now. Don't wait until after they cost you in cash and lost birds.

My chickens are my property and it's my responsibility to take care of them. That means that I will shoot any predator that comes on the place. No matter if it's a coon or 'possum, or the neighbors dog. If it comes looking for my birds, it gets killed. These birds provide my family with eggs and meat. I figure that keeping them from being eaten alive is the least I can do.

-Stimp-

 

[Kung Foo Chicken]

My uncle got permission to relocate ones he trapped on his property to the middle of a state park.