Radio to deter?

[crc310]

I have a shed for a coop along side our tree line (old pic). It has a sliding glass door. Our chickens are free range so it sits open all day. We put them away before dark. We have had issues with raccoons in the past. A raccoon is occasionally seen during the day inside eating the food and eggs). Can I have a radio playing (talk?) 24/7 to keep them from giving inside? Maybe a scarecrow too?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I have a shed for a coop along side our tree line (old pic). It has a sliding glass door. Our chickens are free range so it sits open all day. We put them away before dark. We have had issues with raccoons in the past. A raccoon is occasionally seen during the day inside eating the food and eggs). Can I have a radio playing (talk?) 24/7 to keep them from giving inside? Maybe a scarecrow too?

Doubt it... try electric fencing, it's VERY effective when installed at the correct height for the predator you are trying to ward off... that raccoon will soon eat your hens!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I would also (or alternatively rather) add 1/2 inch hardware cloth all the way around the bottom of the fence since a raccoon is capable of reaching through and ripping the chickens head completely off. E fence will probably solve that too though..

It needs to be stopped it will return with family for the free eats which might include your birds. What are your birds doing when coon is inside?

 

[crc310]

The chickens (along with a rooster) are usually quiet, sitting on their roost ~ 3’ above the ground. This is an old photo, it’s been predator proofed now Thanks! Works great! The chickens are free range on the property. There are no fences. I’ve been seeing this racoon for several months during the day and night. It only recently noticed our coop this past month (we live by farmland and have seen it by the pond a few hundred feet from our property). Tonight I accidentally locked her inside for 2 hours (I also have 2 ducks on the ground)!! Thank God I have a 6th sense when it comes to my chickens! Something didn’t feel right. 1.5 hours after locking them up, I can hear on of the hens freaking out. Shined the light around the outside of the coop. Nothing. A bit later, heard chewing/ scratching! Wtf! She must have been in the rafters when I locked the chickens up! I scared her away. Probably going to have to trap/ relocate her but not sure if she has young.... (killing her isn’t an option)

 

[centrarchid]

Radio approach not reliable. Three things I would doing. First moving attractant / feeder to location away from your poultry. Second is determining how raccoon gets into your run when door is closed although the dog kennels like shown are hard to make coon proof. Third is putting up some very modest hot-wire around perimeter of run to zap raccoons attempting to climb or approach chain link fence.

The electrified fencing approach generally prevents need to kill raccoons. I have only one dog kennel based on the chain link design, in part because it is so hard to keep the raccoons out of it. I have up on physical barriers on that kennel and now rely on psychological barriers such as getting zapped or attacked by dogs running around on the outside.

 

[RWise]

Check your local laws before relocating it (or any other animal). I would not relocate one of these coons, why give your problems to someone else? And it may return to haunt your coop/run again.
BTW a trapped coon will not be happy about it, will destroy a have a heat trap. IF you trap it be prepared to kill it, else do not trap it..
Electric fencing is easy to run and fairly effective.

 

[crc310]

The pen is only used in winter for extra covered space when it snows. It’s completely coon proof (old pic). I don’t have a fence on the property. I can’t put on electric fence. The door of the coop remains open during the day. I didn’t see the coon last night when I put the chickens away. She was hiding in the rafters. How do u move feeder from poultry? Food/ water is inside the coop. The chickens come and go. Our chickens mingle with the neighbors chickens.
We love in the country. She would be relocated into the middle of nowhere (we have a lot of “nowhere” in Michigan, lol). I will not kill her. Just looking for options for deterring her during the day. I have been dealing with raccoons since we got the first set of chickens a few years ago. They have never come during the day so deterring hasn’t been hard. Put chickens away before it gets dark and the coons move on. Anyone use motion activated sprinklers? Fox urine? Scarecrow (can move around each day)?

 

[centrarchid]

You are going to have to learn through loss of some birds rather than suggestions from those that do manage raccoons successfully. Be prepared to teach others from what you learn.

 

[crc310]

Oh, I’m aware! I’ve had losses from coons and loose dogs. Neighbor lost some to foxes last year. We have mink, coyotes, hawks and owls too. That’s the price of their freedom. Predators are hungry, wild animals. I can’t blame them for doing what is natural for them. I’m seeking alternative option as killing them isn’t one. I have 2 acres. I have kids and our chickens go next door to visit off and on all day so we can’t put a fence in. I do appreciate the suggestions.

 

[Red84]

Anyone use motion activated sprinklers? Fox urine? Scarecrow (can move around each day)?

I am not sure about these ideas. Sprinklers I don't believe will work, they like being around water, including when it rains. I have used fox urine in trapping sets to ATTRACT raccoons, not deter. Fox urine may indicate that a fox has buried part of a kill there, tip off to an easy meal for a raccoon. Raccoons are too smart for a scarecrow. They see the same stationary object in a different place, they will learn it is still safe. I have to agree as stated above. Trap and dispatch. Relocation of common carriers of rabies is downright unfair to both the released animal and the surrounding animals. It is also illegal in some jurisdictions. This is especially true in animals that are now habituated to being out during the day, either because of sickness or learned behavior that it is safe. Humane dispatch is better for all involved. If it is really a sow, be prepared for her little ones to grow their appetites and learn from the pro how to hunt.