4am this morning (50 minutes ago) I heard an awful sound coming from my coop. I go out to investigate and see feathers covering the ground of the run. I have an elevated coop and the raccoon poked it's head out from underneath. It jumped through a hole in the side of fence wall (I need to figure out what happened when I get back from work). I saw a chicken, outside the coop and motionless. Fortunately I can close up the coop. I went in to tell my wife and to come back out to pick up the bird. I came out and saw it was not dead. I put her in my shed, to keep the other birds from pecking her to death. She had blood around her neck. It's not flowing and I suspect I got out there just in time. Hopefully she continues to survive. If I lived in the country; the raccoons would have been shot as they were still hanging around.
Raccoons can eat through the wire and chicken wire is the worst wire to use. I have cloth and dog fence over it. They can't chew through dog fencing. (I hope) Racoons can open locks, lift nest boxes and rip the side of nest box right off. Never underestimate a raccoon.
Great advice. I am working toward the fort knox of chicken hutches. I have doubled up the run fence and have layed hardware wire under the coop to keep the varmints from digging under. I will soon be putting up the overhead netting. If I have to set up all night to be rid of a racoon, I will do so. Chicken wire is worthless, in my opinion. Like you, I hope my efforts work to keep my chickens safe.
Jacob Singer You could. It would definitely keep the critters out. But I’m sure it would add a lot of resistance when I drag the pen daily. I need to rig up some wheels.
today a ENORMOUS raccoon came into our backyard. I guess my aggressive rooster did something for once and was able to escape (so was my chicken). My baby chicks were locked up so they’re fine. We had a chicken wander off to a neighbors backyard, I’m pretty sure she was killed. Kinda sad, she was one of my favorites and like a 1 and a half years old.
well it happened to me too! i am gonng to build a chicken run with concrete in the ground, 11/4 or 1/2 inch chicken wire, doubled with boards, doubled with predator light , doubled by my riffle with bird pellets or the 22s that ought to do it!
4am this morning (50 minutes ago) I heard an awful sound coming from my coop. I go out to investigate and see feathers covering the ground of the run. I have an elevated coop and the raccoon poked it's head out from underneath. It jumped through a hole in the side of fence wall (I need to figure out what happened when I get back from work). I saw a chicken, outside the coop and motionless. Fortunately I can close up the coop. I went in to tell my wife and to come back out to pick up the bird. I came out and saw it was not dead. I put her in my shed, to keep the other birds from pecking her to death. She had blood around her neck. It's not flowing and I suspect I got out there just in time. Hopefully she continues to survive. If I lived in the country; the raccoons would have been shot as they were still hanging around.
Raccoons can eat through the wire and chicken wire is the worst wire to use. I have cloth and dog fence over it. They can't chew through dog fencing. (I hope) Racoons can open locks, lift nest boxes and rip the side of nest box right off. Never underestimate a raccoon.
Great advice. I am working toward the fort knox of chicken hutches. I have doubled up the run fence and have layed hardware wire under the coop to keep the varmints from digging under. I will soon be putting up the overhead netting. If I have to set up all night to be rid of a racoon, I will do so. Chicken wire is worthless, in my opinion. Like you, I hope my efforts work to keep my chickens safe.
I caught the racoon that killed my hen. I trapped her 2 days later. She never left the property.
I caught in racoon in my chicken house
I blew half its head off with my .45
Did it taste good?
would it be possible to cover the bottom of the run with chicken wire or half inch hardware cloth? Stretched out really tight?
Jacob Singer You could. It would definitely keep the critters out. But I’m sure it would add a lot of resistance when I drag the pen daily. I need to rig up some wheels.
Did this happen at night or during the day? The attack I mean.
Jessalie Quilling Schrecongost During the night while the hens were sleeping.
today a ENORMOUS raccoon came into our backyard. I guess my aggressive rooster did something for once and was able to escape (so was my chicken). My baby chicks were locked up so they’re fine. We had a chicken wander off to a neighbors backyard, I’m pretty sure she was killed. Kinda sad, she was one of my favorites and like a 1 and a half years old.
You can use a maniken with a wig and the Hawks get away
well it happened to me too!
i am gonng to build a chicken run with concrete in the ground, 11/4 or 1/2 inch chicken wire, doubled with boards, doubled with predator light , doubled by my riffle with bird pellets or the 22s that ought to do it!
Nathalie duez Nice! Lol. Hardware cloth works well, but kinda pricey.
By a pellet gun it quiet and will take care of those raccoons