Will a coorn feeder keeps coons away from coop ?

[OhZark Biddies]

I have a corn feeder, for deer, at the back of the property about 150' from where my coop is going to sit. Coons hit it a few times a week. Will they go for the easy meal of corn or try to break into to my "fortress" coop ? Is having the corn out a bad idea, as it's likely drawing them in ? -Thanks

We enjoy the deer in our yard and feed them in the winter... roughly from December to March...

...I did not see a single raccoon this entire winter... but did see a few possums...

...I don’t worry about possums killing grown chickens or getting into my coop though...

... but I did remove over a dozen raccoons around the house the previous year....

Not sure if that helps... but that is my experience...

...I would say if you’re going to feed the deer and have chickens you would want to remove the raccoons...otherwise you’ll likely be creating your own problems...

... I used to have a “pet” raccoon that I fed cat food and other treats every night... that turned into 3 “pet” raccoons... but anyway the thing that I noticed is that even with plenty of food... they would still eat a little then go hunt for something different... then come back and eat... then go hunt... etc.

They were pretty good mousers... and though I didn’t have chickens at the time I’m certain that catching and killing a chicken would have scratched the search for prey itch...

... so really the point is it’s not just about a full belly for them... much the same way cats like to hunt and catch wee-beasties even though they have plenty of food... so do raccoons.

 

[OhZark Biddies]

Sorry. I don't object to hunting but i do object to chumming.

As long as it’s legal I don’t object to baiting as part of hunting...

Hunting is most often the best tool a state has for managing wildlife populations ... and in some regions and situations, particularly for certain species, the use of bait is the only way that harvest objectives can be met.... and if they are not met populations rise and then disease or other problems occur...

In my state baiting for hunting is not legal and it is not something that we do... but I would not judge anyone in other states that are following the regulations as set by the DNR biologists to meet long term wildlife management goals.

 

[aart]

They were pretty good mousers...

Raccoons?!?!

 

[OhZark Biddies]

Raccoons?!?!

Yep... I’d sit in the porch and watch them amble about in typical raccoon mode... then perk up and give chase and catch something...

...at first I thought these were insects... and then when one missed once the mouse ran up the sidewalk and ducked into the shrubs...

These were likely ‘field mice’ a.k.a voles because there was a bumper crop of them that summer ... but these young raccoons would catch quite a few.

 

[Willowspirit]

Yeah, we had to :'(
Took allll morning to get it and the flowers that scattered into the woods.
It did indeed give several hens diarrhea. I did a molasses water treatment on the flock, as they were all trying to eat flowers as we were hauling it away.
This bush was HUGE. Lovely specimen

But they have all recovered?

 

[cmom]

In some places it's illegal to put out bait stations for deer and others.

 

[itsasmallfarm]

you will just attract raccoons in my opinion, best option is either a really good defense for your coop. or hunt and trap raccoons. (depending on your laws)

 

[itsasmallfarm]

As long as it’s legal I don’t object to baiting as part of hunting...

Hunting is most often the best tool a state has for managing wildlife populations ... and in some regions and situations, particularly for certain species, the use of bait is the only way that harvest objectives can be met.... and if they are not met populations rise and then disease or other problems occur...

In my state baiting for hunting is not legal and it is not something that we do... but I would not judge anyone in other states that are following the regulations as set by the DNR biologists to meet long term wildlife management goals.

also to say baiting animals for hunting is far from easy. i don't bait for hunting. but i know people who do. but its an art. i mean you have to consider a spot where the animal feels good enough to eat but not too much cover that you can not have a good shot. also consider the fact you need to find the trial it will come in on and make sure it does not detect you.

here where i live we can bait for any big game and fur bearer. most people i know bait for black bears and white tail.