This is true... Not knowing what state OP is in I just offered MY advise, based on MY state laws.
I agree.. knowing your nuisance animal state law is always a first step.
That's all I can offer for advise hence the reason I stated what MY state law was.
Sorry I can't be more helpful than that 👍
This... I had a coon kill one of my two hens at that time 3 years ago...at lunch time. Got there just in time to chase it off.
I brought the lone hen in the house and trapped the coon that night trying to get into the empty coop .. No coon attacks since, because I keep my trap set alot...