So what's the deal with Racoons?

[pookiegoldman]

We live where there are plenty of racoons. They are so bold as to come to eat out of the cat's food bowl in broad daylight. You can get nearly 10 feet away from them and they won't stop eating. A couple of days ago in the afternoon, one tried to come in through the locked pet door! So, my question is Just how bad are racoons when you keep chickens? I've never seen any footprints near the pens or anything. Am I being naive to believe that they will leave my chickens alone?

 

[Tala]

Raccons are the WORST imo.

Mainly because they are presistant, clever and have paws that can manipulate latches much like hands can.

Am I being naive to believe that they will leave my chickens alone?

Extremely.
Just read some of the older posts in this section, see how many people have trouble with raccoons.​

 

[theFox]

Well if you feed meat or meat byproducts to your animals out doors, you are already baiting raccoons and other animals (including some that are far worse) .

If you think any of those will leave your birds alone you are naive.

 

[queenbeezz]

They are the WORSE. They are chicken killin, egg stealin, trash tearin, rabies carrin critters and the only good one is a dead one. If you are seeing them in daytime you should beware. It is either sick or semi-domesticated by one of your (aw, isn't it cute!) neighbors. Get a trap or a gun because your chickens will come up missing.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

Definitely make sure you have secure housing for your chickens and lock them up at night in a timely manner.

 

[ranchhand]

You don't want to see what a raccoon will do to a chicken. It's not pretty.

Fortify your coop and run, but it probably still won't be enough. You need to discourage the critters.

Take the cat food IN. That's a screaming invitation to the raccoons.

Raccoons are not strictly nocturnal and seeing one out in daylight is not unusual. It says nothing about their health.

 

[Naughty]

Quote:
Don't hold back - tell us how you really feel!

 

[queenbeezz]

I guess that's about it. I was feeling a bit frustrated cause a racoon got my favorite banty. If you do choose to trap and relocate just remember that you will be letting it loose to prey on someone else's livestock.

 

[Mattemma]

Don't forget the loads of roundworm eggs they poop out every day.You get those in you and they eat you inside out. I would kill racoons before they cause any problems for me.

 

[MMPoultryFarms]

Quote:
this is how racoons work mostly Over the summer time when everything is in bloom racoons eat mainly berrys and fruits that are easly accessable. When the cold seasons come around and things start todie they become meat eaters they will Kill and eat just about anything not to mention and please someone correct me if I am wrong but skunks and racoons have high rabie rates. if you can get 10 feet from them eradicate them Do not let them take up home in your house area. if you see it shoot it.