Those damn trash pandas

[LtDanFan]

The last week we have had a problem with raccoons getting to the chickens. We are planning on putting a roof on the chicken yard and replacing the fencing with hardware cloth to protect the ladies better. We so far have lost a cockerel (good boy clearly defending his flock poor guy) and a cream legbar hen. Thankfully due to a fantastic pet sitter and boyfriend that’s been the total of our losses so far. We are currently not living on the property due to a fire a few months ago but will be back in the next couple of weeks.
In the meantime we have all teamed up to get there as close to dusk as possible to lock the coop door before the coons come out at night.
Problem is that since I think of of those fat bastards was hiding in the coop, the hens are reluctant to go in at night. They have been trying to roost on the fence or other structures and have to be placed in the coop. Any suggestions for getting them to feel safe again?
For reference we have 2 pre fab coops which are scheduled to be replaced by a custom job but in the meantime the small coop is too small for the whole flock and the ones that normally go into the big coop seem reluctant to do so at night. Although they still go in readily to lay eggs thankfully.

 

[The Moonshiner]

No help there but have considered trapping the raccoons?
I've found the dog proof traps fast and efficient.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I second the dog-proof traps. They work great and in my experience the raccoons will avoid the spot for about a ten-foot radius where you set the trap after you’ve caught one. I don’t relocate raccoons (unless you consider sending them to raccoon heaven a relocation) so I don’t know if they will avoid the area if you do that. They might consider it a buffet in that case

 

[LtDanFan]

I second the dog-proof traps. They work great and in my experience the raccoons will avoid the spot for about a ten-foot radius where you set the trap after you’ve caught one. I don’t relocate raccoons (unless you consider sending them to raccoon heaven a relocation) so I don’t know if they will avoid the area if you do that. They might consider it a buffet in that case

I did think about trapping and looked up several kinds of traps but then i would need to un-alive it or buy it a one way ticket to the other side of the county. I am not opposed to relocating it to the eternal care unit but I’ve never done this and i am not sure about the legalities of such a thing. I suppose i could toss the trap and all in the bed of my truck and take it on the ride of its life but not sure where i could off load it legally. Or even illegally but at night.
I have thought about going full “Ruby Ridge” on those chubby masked anti-homesteaders but i probably can’t shoot them with a big enough round to kill them and not get ratted out by the neighbors unless i could coordinate the shots to coincide with the fireworks they insist on setting off at all times of the year and for no good reason.
If i do set up traps, what’s the best way to send them to raccoon Valhalla? I want it to be humane, even though i would love to waterboard the $hit out of them, they are just trying to survive like i am and there is no honor in torturing one who knows not the evil or pain they bring upon others.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

If i do set up traps, what’s the best way to send them to raccoon Valhalla?

It’s legal to shoot where I live so I shoot them between the eyes with a .22 mag. Which is easier than it sounds with the dog-proof trap because the second they see you raccoons will stand their ground, stare you down and hiss. So it’s not hard to make a humane kill-shot. They will flop a lot (same as chicken) but they are dead before they hit the ground. Then, in my case, I take the body up on top of the mountain for the buzzards, bears, bobcats, whatever.

 

[LtDanFan]

It’s legal to shoot where I live so I shoot them between the eyes with a .22 mag. Which is easier than it sounds with the dog-proof trap because the second they see you raccoons will stand their ground, stare you down and hiss. So it’s not hard to make a humane kill-shot. They will flop a lot (same as chicken) but they are dead before they hit the ground. Then, in my case, I take the body up on top of the mountain for the buzzards, bears, bobcats, whatever.

That’s good to know. Guess I’ll have to look up the laws in my area. Ive got a couple of .22’s in my arsenal. I just didnt think it would be enough to do the trick.
There are no mountains near me, but I’d probably want to use the pelts anyway. i will have to text the taxidermist i dated a few years ago and see if he can help out.