Safe from raccoons in daylight?

[iecorzu]

If you see a raccoon or skunk in the daylight, RUN! It's most likely rabid!

Raccoons are night creatures. I've had a skunk spray my chicken run last year. Our coop is well secured in our garage.

Daytime predators are hawks, eagles, dogs and owls.

they could also be either looking for extra food for cubs or scoping out a scene for an attack later

 

[BigBlueHen53]

The last time we lost a chicken to a raccoon was several years ago and it was late afternoon but still plenty light, not quite dusk yet. It tried to pull the chicken through the field fencing and only got its head through, poor thing. After that we reinforced the fencing with chicken wire and trapped the culprit.

 

[CosmicTraveler]

The last time we lost a chicken to a raccoon was several years ago and it was late afternoon but still plenty light, not quite dusk yet. It tried to pull the chicken through the field fencing and only got its head through, poor thing. After that we reinforced the fencing with chicken wire and trapped the culprit.

Raccoons can be surprisingly determined, even in daylight. It’s great that you reinforced your fencing with chicken wire; it helps to prevent those types of incidents. Trapping the raccoon was a smart move, too

 

[Seaslug]

Just FYI, many of the animals that are believed to "only" come out in the dark are more crepuscular. Just because they are out in the daytime is no reason to believe they are rabid. Racoon kits are actually diurnal.

 

[McChooky]

The op is no longer active and hasn't been since 2014. Feel free to make a new post if you like!

 

[abujumana]

There has been a raccoon trying hard but unsuccessfully to enter our coop. During the day I let my chickens out in an enclosed 10x10' space that is not predator safe. Should I worry about a raccoon trying to get them in daylight? We live in a suburban area but clearly this mamma is desperate for some food! So far in 3 months there have been no predator attempts, but I'm sure Spring brings on new predator determination.

Any ways to deter the night time damage the raccoon is causing to the yard around my coop perimeter? If I sprinkle Cayenne pepper, could that hurt my chickens if they sniffed some up themselves? Any other thoughts? I read human pee works??? Really? My son would love that job.

Thanks for your advice!

The odors won't affect him, as they are mostly unsuccessful strategies. It's better to use traps or set up bait to catch him