Run roof design

[smashleyrose]

Mmmmm, I see possible storm clouds on the horizon. It sounds like you have a high population of chicken killers. Does the original site for the coop and run (the opposite side of the barn, I think) have trees inside of it? Raccoons are very capable climbers, but don't come close to squirrels in the jumping department. But, they can jump short distances and can leap/fall/drop down with the best of them. With what I heard in your statement above you need to be building your coop and run to very tight, strong tolerances. Raccoons will be relentless in trying to figure out how to get inside the run and coop, probing and poking all around the perimeter. Are you up to trapping them and dispatching them? I would start now with a trapping program of some sort. If you decide to trap please do not relocate them to be someone or something else's problem. They can do a lot of damage and do it very quickly. If you build to defend against raccoons you will have pretty much defended against all the other predators. The first line of defense is naturally the coop...but you have to be there to lock them up once they go inside. The next line of defense is the run (in most situations). With your setup you will have to be sure that the coon can't climb atop the barn from the opposite side, scamper across the roof and then clamber down into a chicken buffet. Or, wiggle his way inside the coop after gaining access to the barn proper.

They may very well travel from tree to tree if they know the end goal is a chicken dinner. They don't travel limb-to-limb like squirrels, though. I think most of their travels are land based. There are some folks on here that have had extensive experience with coons...hopefully they will show up with some advice.

Fort Knox mentality....

Ed

Only seen one large opossum and some raccoon scat, haven't witnessed the raccoons yet though. But we aren't really out and about after hours roaming around the property. The other run has apple trees right next to it, so they would be able to climb those and the roof is much lower. The roof on the other side (new coop side) is a good 35 feet in the air, but the barn is has rough cut cedar siding, which they would be able to climb up anyways. I'm thinking electric fence around the entire perimeter. The good thing is that the trees aren't really close to other trees, and if they don't really travel from branch to branch between trees, then I'm not going to worry about them coming down that way.

I'm not against trapping and dispatching. Especially since they prove to be a threat against livestock, carry diseases, and are just plain annoying to clean up after.

Thanks for the advise on the coons!

 

[Intheswamp]

If the limbs will hold their weight I would think that they would take advantage of a "high" way.

If you have a game camera put an opened can of cat food out and see what shows up.

Seriously, if you're seeing scat around I'd go ahead and start trying to lower the coon population.

Ed

 

[smashleyrose]

Update:

Got the stall cleared out and the plans drawn up for the doors and layout. Ft. Knox is going to go up the weekend after labor day.

We picked up 14 chicks two evenings ago.

2 weeks old:

- 3 New Hampshire reds
- 3 Dominiques
- 4 Black Lace Wyandottes

1 week old:

- 4 Rhode Island Reds

I already want like 50 more. They are so much fun to watch! Last night after cleaning the brooder I left their food tray out while we ate dinner. Went back and hand fed them for the first time. It was a bold little Rhodie who came over first, the rest figured it out quickly. The Wyandottes are the least social of the group.

 

[Intheswamp]

Watch those Dominkers and make sure they don't get picked on. Sounds like you're on your way!!!!!!! Congratulations on the chicks!