Raccoons

[PiNkPaNtHeR]

When do the raccoons usually have their babies here in western WA?
Also - anyone ever have problems with raccoons getting to your chickens?

[huntingfool7]

If you use 1/2'' mesh wire and solid frame around your coop, you'll seriously decrease the likelihood of raccoons getting your birds.
Chicken wire is flimsy stuff and they will pull big parts of your chickens through the wire.

Also, having a box trap or two going all the time will catch critters that take an interest in your birds.
 

[lokidog]

If you use 1/2'' mesh wire and solid frame around your coop, you'll seriously decrease the likelihood of raccoons getting your birds.
Chicken wire is flimsy stuff and they will pull big parts of your chickens through the wire.

Also, having a box trap or two going all the time will catch critters that take an interest in your birds.

ONLY if you have chicken wire that is rusting out, it can get very brittle/flimsy.  I've recently redone my coop after the pressure treated wood corroded it out.  The lower three feet now has vinyl coated chicken wire and above that is the plastic mesh chicken "wire".  I've never had coons get in ours, but the mink have snuck in the small holes.  Be sure to bury your board at least six inches at the bottom, and then put rocks along the wood, can be in the dirt, to help make digging annoying.

Our neighbor, on the other hand, has had coons recently.  I am battling them almost as we speak.  They got seven of her eight birds a few days ago by digging in under the door, they have also ripped a hole through a rusted section.  I have managed to trap one but my trail camera showed at least two more and maybe three.  They are just ignoring the chicken carcasses in the traps now.  I even threw some shrimp shells in there for extra flavor last night.     Maybe I'll have to go down there at midnight with my machine gun....   

[PiNkPaNtHeR]

Thanks, guys. I think I'll try a trap just to see what happens. I've been wanting a trail cam, too, but it's going to have to be a low budget model.

[huntingfool7]

I have not tried 'em but marshmallows are supposed to be a good raccoon bait.
Would be a lot less stinky than chicken carcass and shrimp offerings.

[lokidog]

I'm going to toss in dog food tonight, that's what they seem to prefer at our house.   

[Man Tracker]

They like peanut butter too...

[lokidog]

I've never had luck with peanut butter, strawberry jam, or marshmallows.   

[92xj]

Best coon bait I've ever found is a honey bun with a pile of the single serve koolaid pack poured on top. Grape worked best. Were able to trap 12 in 14 days.

[raydog]

I don't know about the raccoons, but im getting hungry 

[huntingfool7]

Best coon bait I've ever found is a honey bun with a pile of the single serve koolaid pack poured on top. Grape worked best. Were able to trap 12 in 14 days.

That sounds delicious!

[lokidog]

I'm going to toss in dog food tonight, that's what they seem to prefer at our house.   

Well, nothing last night, just pictures of the woman's dog, three different times.  Wonder why it wasn't down there protecting the coop earlier.   

[Trapper John]

I ran a ADC Business for 28 years, just sold it two years ago.  I have caught thousands of raccoons. 

Raccoons breed Dec though Feb.
Gestation period is 63 days ~ litter 2-4 young but I have had them up to sever in a litter
Litter arrives April (now)
Female raises the young, male has nothing to do with raising them
Female brings them out of their nest/home ~ June ~ she teaches them where the food is and what to eat
By November the males leave mom and out on their own
Females will stay with mom sometime until next breeding (Jan / Feb) season

1/2" wire will not hold back a raccoon from getting into the chicken coop.  You need heavy wire around a chicken coop.

At this time of the year she is feeding more than one (herself).   But keep this in mind: she nurses them (milk) not solid food until they leave the nest.

So if you trap a raccoon around the coop, check to see what it is ~ male or female
Males like to have a buddy with them at all times.
Female if she had a litter will show that she is nursing
I hope this helps.
JC   

[singleshot12]

What I've noticed with racoons is that they don't compete very well with the thrivng coyote population along with skunks and other critters of competition.
Best bait tho for catching them is rainbow trout and duck eggs

[PiNkPaNtHeR]

I'm thinking it's time for some lead poisoning. They've apparently now decided that my fish pond (not presently filled & stocked) is a grand place to take a dump. * piles so far. I sat out tonight and was ready to shoot anything that crawled into the pond, but only saw a few milling around the place - none in the pond. I'm not just going to kill everything that moves, but I am going to put the next critter I see in the pond to sleep whether taking a dump or not.
Our fence around the chicken coop isn't 100%. The top is only bird netting & the sides are all chicken wire. So far we haven't had any weasels or other critters get into the coop. I'll be keeping a better eye on the coop/yard and also the pond as the weather gets warmer.