Those damn trash pandas

[LtDanFan]

Where I live, it's legal to kill an animal that is threatening your live stock, even bears. We are not allowed to relocate them. If you kill the raccoons, just be aware that they can carry rabies and contact with their saliva or infected tissue can transmit the disease to humans. Any little cut on your hands coming in contact with infected tissue can do it. Rabies shots are not fun (as a nurse, I've had to give them to people who were attacked by an animal that was suspect). My neighbor wanted to use the pelt of a fox that she found that was hit on the side of the road and had to get them because they were not sure of her exposure. Wear gloves if you are going to handle them after you dispatch them.

Good point, as a veterinarian i am vaccinated for rabies but its always prudent to be cautious. Where do you live? It never occurred to me that relocation on this plain would not be an option. Guess i will be relocating them to the eternal plain instead.

 

[Al Gerhart]

The best way to deal with trapped vermin is to dunk the entire trap into a large barrel filled with water. Wait at least 30 minutes to be sure they are not just stunned. Less humane than a .22 to the head but more humane than being eaten alive like your chickens had to deal with.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

A nice deep irrigation ditch works too, but not everyone has access to these kinds of water sources. I bought a revolver for just this purpose and it's quite effective.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

The best way to deal with trapped vermin is to dunk the entire trap into a large barrel filled with water. Wait at least 30 minutes to be sure they are not just stunned. Less humane than a .22 to the head but more humane than being eaten alive like your chickens had to deal with.

I did this once. It was a horrible experience for the coon and myself. Did you know coons can hold their breath for a very long time? I didn't. I hate them. They took out my 2 coops in 2 days. I had about 3 left from 30 but its their nature and I cant stand to see anything suffer no matter my feelings for them.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

BBL

 

[Not-so Slick Chicken]

I'm sorry you've had such rotten luck.

Honestly, the best way to deal with raccoons (and other predators) is prevention.
If there's no way for them to get to your birds (or feed), then there's no reason for you to have to even worry about if you need to catch or kill one.

I'm not sure what your setup is like, but if you had the ability to set up electric netting, I'm wondering if that could be a deterrent until a secure coop is built?

Raccoons are common here, but rarely are they an issue for us. Legally we can dispatch any that are a problem.
We never catch and release. Illegal for good reason. Can spread diseases to other wildlife, and it'll just cause more problems as the human-desensitized raccoon will seek out humans and chickens again, and teach others to do the same and to avoid traps.

 

[RoseHawke]

We don't bother trapping the 'coons anymore as our newish neighbor is a dedicated trapper after they killed 10 of his chicks. However, when we were, we used a live trap and an "un-alive" bin that the live trap fit into that was then connected to the exhaust of our truck via 10-15 feet of flexible dryer ductwork. They don't last long with a CO atmosphere. I have used drowning before and besides using an inordinate amount of water it was distressing for all parties involved. Also have used a .22 but with this particular live trap it's difficult to get a good shot.

 

[ABQ chicken keeper]

The best way to deal with trapped vermin is to dunk the entire trap into a large barrel filled with water. Wait at least 30 minutes to be sure they are not just stunned. Less humane than a .22 to the head but more humane than being eaten alive like your chickens had to deal with.

Actually drowning any animal is very cruel, better to shoot them if you own a 22.!
Even better is to critter proof your coop.