- Nov 24, 2010
- 17
- 1
- 24
People really don't have any idea how strong, determined, and persistent raccoon are. Many years ago, in another state, my late husband and I raised domestic fox for their fur. Each fox had a 4 X 4 X 12 foot cage with the basic frame sturdily built of 2 x 4's, wooden hutch at the back end. Sides and tops were 1 x 2 heavy duty welded wire over the framing, and floors were 1 x 1 welded wire, best gauge available, galvanized after welding. Wire was all sandwiched between the 2 x 4's and 1 x 2's with screws holding everything together. No staples. They were strong.
Neighboring fish hatchery workers shot a mama 'coon one spring that was raiding their fish ponds and then discovered she had 3 small babies. Never having dealt with the things before, we agreed to give them a home and our 3 kids made pets of them. They were around the place for nearly a year. The 2 females eventually would bite if they wanted to be put down when you were holding them, but the male was always sweet and good tempered.
Went out to feed them one morning when they were just over a year old.....they were caged outside because of the odor, destructiveness, etc., ....and they were all gone. They had "worried" the welds in one area of the floor with their hands to the point that several welds separated....in spite of being galvanized after welding...and they'd gone their merry way. This had happened over just a night's time because we'd cleaned those cages from top to bottom two days earlier (Plus, we fed and watered twice a day) and the floors were fine at that time. Don't underestimate what a determined 'coon can do to hardware cloth or welded wire. They are VERY strong. And patient.
The male came back to visit us a couple of times, but we never saw the females again. Good luck.
Neighboring fish hatchery workers shot a mama 'coon one spring that was raiding their fish ponds and then discovered she had 3 small babies. Never having dealt with the things before, we agreed to give them a home and our 3 kids made pets of them. They were around the place for nearly a year. The 2 females eventually would bite if they wanted to be put down when you were holding them, but the male was always sweet and good tempered.
Went out to feed them one morning when they were just over a year old.....they were caged outside because of the odor, destructiveness, etc., ....and they were all gone. They had "worried" the welds in one area of the floor with their hands to the point that several welds separated....in spite of being galvanized after welding...and they'd gone their merry way. This had happened over just a night's time because we'd cleaned those cages from top to bottom two days earlier (Plus, we fed and watered twice a day) and the floors were fine at that time. Don't underestimate what a determined 'coon can do to hardware cloth or welded wire. They are VERY strong. And patient.
The male came back to visit us a couple of times, but we never saw the females again. Good luck.
