What to do about the raccoons?

[HeidiZ]

I just got my new flock of Buff Orpingtons moved into their coop that I built. (not quite finished yet) I live 20 minutes west of Lebanon, Missouri in the wooded area with all sorts of predators out here and I can't find it in me to cage up my birds.

I have a family of 6 raccoons living on my property, underneath an old out building. I have 4 guineas left and they have been around for quite a while. The raccoons seem not to be interested in them and the guineas don't seem to pay any attention to the raccoons. When the evening comes, and lately in the daytime also, they have been raiding the guineas crumble. I figure the raccoons are smart enough to know that as long as they don't eat the birds, the supply of crumble will continue. It's something I believe they learned 3 seasons ago when the killed my last chicken and then there was no food.

Last night at about 1AM, I had an incident of a squawking commotion coming from the chicken coop. When I got out there, 2 hens were wandering in a daze outside of the coop and the door was unlatched. This morning when I went out to open the coop for them, I found that I had lost 2 birds, one of my bird's skin is missing from behind the left eye to the top of her head, and another hen seems to have her tail feathers missing. The bolt latch I have on the coop was unlatched. I really don't think that I forgot to latch the door last night but I am now 74 and am prone to do stupid things like that. From previous experiences with raising foul, I am aware of how smart and dexterous raccoons are. I had one unlatch a cage to reach inside and take my prize pheasant. I don't know what type of critter it was that caused the mayhem last night, but I looked all around on the ground for any paw prints and for any indication that a raccoon might have scaled the coop wall to reach the latch but found nothing. I still can't say for certain that it was a racoon but they are the obvious suspect. (There are possums too.) I know raccoons are not the cute cuddly things that they pretend to be but still, to eradicate their threat, it would mean killing a whole family of them. I was thinking about perhaps I could appease them by filling their bellies with cheap cat food every day so that they wouldn't think about my chickens. But then, they are omnivores just like us and like variety, but then why are they leaving my last 4 guineas alone?

I have guns and can do what has to be done but shooting them would be my very last resort. I am hoping to get feedback from others that also respect the God given fundamental right to life, no mater what creature it is. Is there a more practicle solution then killing them? If killing them is the bottom line is ther a more humane way of doing it then shooting them. I killed one 3 years ago with my 9mm. and they do not dye easily. I had to put 4 rounds in him. Before I fired the last round, he turned his head to look straight up at me in pain, anger, anxiety, and fear, That vision will stick with me forever

 

[HeidiZ]

Oh my goodness! They need to be disposed of! Trap them and kill them. I just bought dog proof traps to get the furry pests that have been dining on my chickens. In fact, I just set two out for the first time tonight. They're fine in the wild, but once they start killing my birds -- all bets are off. If you have a tough time doing them in yourself, ask around. You'll be surprised how many people don't mind, and are willing to take care of them humanely. BTW, shooting them is probably the most humane way, drowning would be another choice. I watched trappers on youtube, and some lead to the head acted quickly.

Kill them or they will kill all of your flock .

 

[Shoshone]

Relocation for me is an act of futility where I live. I have a forrest full of them. All I can do is stand my ground.

I feel bad when I have to kill something. Where I live is farm and livestock country. The local farmers around here were born and raised to hunt for food and protect their livestock. Some of my local friends were raised on hunting racoon to put meet on the table. I moved here from L.A. and while I am a carnivour, I don't have that bread into me. But, I will do what I have to do.

You

Well, after this morning, I realize that I have lost control.

I closed up the coop last night and didn't look in to take a head count. This morning when I opened it up again, only a few birds staggered out. There were only about 8 birds left. I stood there, dumbfounded, for a few minutes trying to figure out what happened. Then I looked up and saw the other half of the flock running across from the foreboding side of the property where the guineas are fed and the raccoons live. I took a head count and I am down another 2 or 3 birds. The #2 rooster was one of the lost. Apparently, rooster #2 took half the flock over to the guinea's side and didn't bring the girls back at nightfall.

The Alpha Rooster is quite beautiful with his bright red comb, broad breast, and massive thighs, but he's totally useless. He prances around crowing and acting like he's the one in charge but when it comes to facing a scrap, he squawks and runs. He knows that he is the one that is supposed to protect the flock from intruders but he's just to chicken. (pardon the pun) I don't think I'll get many fertile eggs from him. Other roosters I've watched are willing to battle to the death to protect their girls. I have even watched him run from an angry hen. The loss of rooster #2 was a great one. I would have been better off loosing the Alpha Rooster. I hope I can get some new hatch roosters out of him before he disappears.

After all this, I looked around again and reassessed the whole bigger picture. Where I located the coop I built seemed to be the perfect spot with the idea of letting my chickens free range. Now that I am facing the possibility of having to confine them to a critter impregnable chicken run, I couldn't have picked a more problematic location. The coop is not a small 8 bird coop, it's an 8 ft. by 8 ft. walk-in building where I can also brood the new-hatch so I no longer have to raise chickens in the house. (I can't believe how much dander dust they generate.) This 8ft x 8ft coop weighs at least 3/4 of a ton and I am not going to move it with my Kubota.

So then, open range is still the plan and I now have to get my battle attitude in place. I grabbed the 22 riffle with scope and loaded up the clip. I am now ready for the battle to take back my property from the enamy, those terrorist raccoons. I have met my 9/11.

p.s. I bought a bag of cat food from MFA. My male cat was sniffing at it and seems to like it. So, that will be the cat's replenishment when their current bag is used up and the raccoons will be gone one way or another.

You are going to have to remove them one way or another. I know you had a bad experience before, trying to kill a coon so I would suggest something larger than a .22.
I mean it will do it if you are close and the shot is perfect but you have a larger chance of wounding one. Consider a shotgun if you are able to get close. If not use something with a hollow point or expanding bullet in a larger caliber.

 

[Suzanne1964]

I just got my new flock of Buff Orpingtons moved into their coop that I built. (not quite finished yet) I live 20 minutes west of Lebanon, Missouri in the wooded area with all sorts of predators out here and I can't find it in me to cage up my birds.

I have a family of 6 raccoons living on my property, underneath an old out building. I have 4 guineas left and they have been around for quite a while. The raccoons seem not to be interested in them and the guineas don't seem to pay any attention to the raccoons. When the evening comes, and lately in the daytime also, they have been raiding the guineas crumble. I figure the raccoons are smart enough to know that as long as they don't eat the birds, the supply of crumble will continue. It's something I believe they learned 3 seasons ago when the killed my last chicken and then there was no food.

Last night at about 1AM, I had an incident of a squawking commotion coming from the chicken coop. When I got out there, 2 hens were wandering in a daze outside of the coop and the door was unlatched. This morning when I went out to open the coop for them, I found that I had lost 2 birds, one of my bird's skin is missing from behind the left eye to the top of her head, and another hen seems to have her tail feathers missing. The bolt latch I have on the coop was unlatched. I really don't think that I forgot to latch the door last night but I am now 74 and am prone to do stupid things like that. From previous experiences with raising foul, I am aware of how smart and dexterous raccoons are. I had one unlatch a cage to reach inside and take my prize pheasant. I don't know what type of critter it was that caused the mayhem last night, but I looked all around on the ground for any paw prints and for any indication that a raccoon might have scaled the coop wall to reach the latch but found nothing. I still can't say for certain that it was a racoon but they are the obvious suspect. (There are possums too.) I know raccoons are not the cute cuddly things that they pretend to be but still, to eradicate their threat, it would mean killing a whole family of them. I was thinking about perhaps I could appease them by filling their bellies with cheap cat food every day so that they wouldn't think about my chickens. But then, they are omnivores just like us and like variety, but then why are they leaving my last 4 guineas alone?

I have guns and can do what has to be done but shooting them would be my very last resort. I am hoping to get feedback from others that also respect the God given fundamental right to life, no mater what creature it is. Is there a more practicle solution then killing them? If killing them is the bottom line is ther a more humane way of doing it then shooting them. I killed one 3 years ago with my 9mm. and they do not dye easily. I had to put 4 rounds in him. Before I fired the last round, he turned his head to look straight up at me in pain, anger, anxiety, and fear, That vision will stick with me forever.

Gosh my friend we have raccoons also on the farm! I understand your dilemma but all you can do to protect your babies is live trap and re-home or...unfortunately end their lives I have not had a problem with predators thank Goodness but we have tons of corn around too!

 

[kmiddi]

Thomasj, I understand your dilemmas about the raccoons. I have raised some babies and had them for pets for my children in the past, but I have found that it almost comes down to either the raccoons, or the chickens. The raccoons are so destructive and very good at working their way into a cage, coop, or home.
We live in the woods, so when my wife wanted chickens, I thought I could keep the predators out at night. We lost many chickens and almost gave up, until I put an electric wire on top and bottom of all the coop and run. I have seen where the predators have tried digging under and got shocked, and where they have tried to scale the fence and hung on to the top wire as they fell away. But we don't loose them at night anymore.
We have lost some to a coyote and a fox during the day while they free range, but not after we put them to bed and turn on the electric fencing. It has been a life saver.

 

[Eddie the Yeti]

I have chickens and koi and the racoons eat both. That is why I shoot the raccoons, only have to shoot one once in a while as they seem to remember for a while when one of them is shot. I recommend using shot shells in your hand gun. this called rat shot or snake shot and it is actually quicker and more effective if you are not a great shot. It also wont travel very far if you should happen to miss. Always be safe with your gun and be sure of what is behind your target. I prefer to live and let live when I can, but raccoons will decimate your animals, and, if they find an easy meal they will just keep coming back.

 

[FathertoFeathers]

IF you decide to trap use marshmallows with a little bit of grease or wet cat food or even tuna juice over the top. Works wonders for me every time.

 

[chicknmania]

I just got my new flock of Buff Orpingtons moved into their coop that I built. (not quite finished yet) I live 20 minutes west of Lebanon, Missouri in the wooded area with all sorts of predators out here and I can't find it in me to cage up my birds.

I have a family of 6 raccoons living on my property, underneath an old out building. I have 4 guineas left and they have been around for quite a while. The raccoons seem not to be interested in them and the guineas don't seem to pay any attention to the raccoons. When the evening comes, and lately in the daytime also, they have been raiding the guineas crumble. I figure the raccoons are smart enough to know that as long as they don't eat the birds, the supply of crumble will continue. It's something I believe they learned 3 seasons ago when the killed my last chicken and then there was no food.

Last night at about 1AM, I had an incident of a squawking commotion coming from the chicken coop. When I got out there, 2 hens were wandering in a daze outside of the coop and the door was unlatched. This morning when I went out to open the coop for them, I found that I had lost 2 birds, one of my bird's skin is missing from behind the left eye to the top of her head, and another hen seems to have her tail feathers missing. The bolt latch I have on the coop was unlatched. I really don't think that I forgot to latch the door last night but I am now 74 and am prone to do stupid things like that. From previous experiences with raising foul, I am aware of how smart and dexterous raccoons are. I had one unlatch a cage to reach inside and take my prize pheasant. I don't know what type of critter it was that caused the mayhem last night, but I looked all around on the ground for any paw prints and for any indication that a raccoon might have scaled the coop wall to reach the latch but found nothing. I still can't say for certain that it was a racoon but they are the obvious suspect. (There are possums too.) I know raccoons are not the cute cuddly things that they pretend to be but still, to eradicate their threat, it would mean killing a whole family of them. I was thinking about perhaps I could appease them by filling their bellies with cheap cat food every day so that they wouldn't think about my chickens. But then, they are omnivores just like us and like variety, but then why are they leaving my last 4 guineas alone?

I have guns and can do what has to be done but shooting them would be my very last resort. I am hoping to get feedback from others that also respect the God given fundamental right to life, no mater what creature it is. Is there a more practicle solution then killing them? If killing them is the bottom line is ther a more humane way of doing it then shooting them. I killed one 3 years ago with my 9mm. and they do not dye easily. I had to put 4 rounds in him. Before I fired the last round, he turned his head to look straight up at me in pain, anger, anxiety, and fear, That vision will stick with me forever.

I feel the same as you. They dont know...they just see food. I think feeding cheap catfood would just attract more. Make your coop and run as predator proof as posible with a double latch on the door. For daytime predators visiting our barn and flock we have found that going outside or visiting the barn at staggered times throughout the day..plus the use of talk radio turned up loud and turned on a d off throughout the day and evening before we go to bed...helps helps. We hire a trapper for impossible cases because I cant stand dealing with trapping or shooting them

 

[gregorywsanders]

I just got my new flock of Buff Orpingtons moved into their coop that I built. (not quite finished yet) I live 20 minutes west of Lebanon, Missouri in the wooded area with all sorts of predators out here and I can't find it in me to cage up my birds.

I have a family of 6 raccoons living on my property, underneath an old out building. I have 4 guineas left and they have been around for quite a while. The raccoons seem not to be interested in them and the guineas don't seem to pay any attention to the raccoons. When the evening comes, and lately in the daytime also, they have been raiding the guineas crumble. I figure the raccoons are smart enough to know that as long as they don't eat the birds, the supply of crumble will continue. It's something I believe they learned 3 seasons ago when the killed my last chicken and then there was no food.

Last night at about 1AM, I had an incident of a squawking commotion coming from the chicken coop. When I got out there, 2 hens were wandering in a daze outside of the coop and the door was unlatched. This morning when I went out to open the coop for them, I found that I had lost 2 birds, one of my bird's skin is missing from behind the left eye to the top of her head, and another hen seems to have her tail feathers missing. The bolt latch I have on the coop was unlatched. I really don't think that I forgot to latch the door last night but I am now 74 and am prone to do stupid things like that. From previous experiences with raising foul, I am aware of how smart and dexterous raccoons are. I had one unlatch a cage to reach inside and take my prize pheasant. I don't know what type of critter it was that caused the mayhem last night, but I looked all around on the ground for any paw prints and for any indication that a raccoon might have scaled the coop wall to reach the latch but found nothing. I still can't say for certain that it was a racoon but they are the obvious suspect. (There are possums too.) I know raccoons are not the cute cuddly things that they pretend to be but still, to eradicate their threat, it would mean killing a whole family of them. I was thinking about perhaps I could appease them by filling their bellies with cheap cat food every day so that they wouldn't think about my chickens. But then, they are omnivores just like us and like variety, but then why are they leaving my last 4 guineas alone?

I have guns and can do what has to be done but shooting them would be my very last resort. I am hoping to get feedback from others that also respect the God given fundamental right to life, no mater what creature it is. Is there a more practicle solution then killing them? If killing them is the bottom line is ther a more humane way of doing it then shooting them. I killed one 3 years ago with my 9mm. and they do not dye easily. I had to put 4 rounds in him. Before I fired the last round, he turned his head to look straight up at me in pain, anger, anxiety, and fear, That vision will stick with me forever.

A gun is the best and most humane way to take care of the raccoon problem. However, more will come back. You should secure the coop with better latching mechanisms. I use a spring loaded eye latch. Easy to lock and open. It might not fool a determined raccoon though.

 

[thepick4uchicks]

I just got my new flock of Buff Orpingtons moved into their coop that I built. (not quite finished yet) I live 20 minutes west of Lebanon, Missouri in the wooded area with all sorts of predators out here and I can't find it in me to cage up my birds.

I have a family of 6 raccoons living on my property, underneath an old out building. I have 4 guineas left and they have been around for quite a while. The raccoons seem not to be interested in them and the guineas don't seem to pay any attention to the raccoons. When the evening comes, and lately in the daytime also, they have been raiding the guineas crumble. I figure the raccoons are smart enough to know that as long as they don't eat the birds, the supply of crumble will continue. It's something I believe they learned 3 seasons ago when the killed my last chicken and then there was no food.

Last night at about 1AM, I had an incident of a squawking commotion coming from the chicken coop. When I got out there, 2 hens were wandering in a daze outside of the coop and the door was unlatched. This morning when I went out to open the coop for them, I found that I had lost 2 birds, one of my bird's skin is missing from behind the left eye to the top of her head, and another hen seems to have her tail feathers missing. The bolt latch I have on the coop was unlatched. I really don't think that I forgot to latch the door last night but I am now 74 and am prone to do stupid things like that. From previous experiences with raising foul, I am aware of how smart and dexterous raccoons are. I had one unlatch a cage to reach inside and take my prize pheasant. I don't know what type of critter it was that caused the mayhem last night, but I looked all around on the ground for any paw prints and for any indication that a raccoon might have scaled the coop wall to reach the latch but found nothing. I still can't say for certain that it was a racoon but they are the obvious suspect. (There are possums too.) I know raccoons are not the cute cuddly things that they pretend to be but still, to eradicate their threat, it would mean killing a whole family of them. I was thinking about perhaps I could appease them by filling their bellies with cheap cat food every day so that they wouldn't think about my chickens. But then, they are omnivores just like us and like variety, but then why are they leaving my last 4 guineas alone?

I have guns and can do what has to be done but shooting them would be my very last resort. I am hoping to get feedback from others that also respect the God given fundamental right to life, no mater what creature it is. Is there a more practicle solution then killing them? If killing them is the bottom line is ther a more humane way of doing it then shooting them. I killed one 3 years ago with my 9mm. and they do not dye easily. I had to put 4 rounds in him. Before I fired the last round, he turned his head to look straight up at me in pain, anger, anxiety, and fear, That vision will stick with me forever.

I’m going to be very honest with you. I have heard only this about raccoons. They will only do one thing to your chickens. Kill them. No matter what. They will unlatch any kind of coop lock except for a key lock to be completely sure. That is my stance. Your run must be hardware cloth also to keep them out if you want to do so. They cannot live in harmony with chickens. You are playing with fire. Sorry my friend.