BOLD Raccoons

[Ferwynne]

Our two chickens were housed in a large rabbit hutch on the front porch, just outside the window. We'd had a larger flock previously and never had any problems.
Went to bed last night and heard something banging around outside, and found a huge raccoon sitting right on top of the hutch, trying to open the top. We banged at the window and hollered and he just sat up and hissed at us. Turns out he'd already killed my daughter's hen, and our rooster was injured.
After we secured the rooster inside, the raccoon came back with a companion, and tore apart the rest of the hutch looking for their kill. My son finally sprayed one in the face with a can of wasp spray (we don't own a gun).
Being on conservation land, we're not able to trap or shoot them, but after 2 years without incident (probably because I had dogs until now), I never expected them to actually come right up to the house and challenge us like that.

 

[Nancyleedunn]

I am so sorry!! I was just asking about dogs keeping raccoons away, I guess they are effective.

That was super quick thinking with the wasp spray! I don't have a gun, but will keep some wasp spray handy.

I hope your rooster survives,
Nancy

 

[Baymule]

Sounds like you need to get a dog again.

 

[Rhoise]

Coons are like Honey Badger they don't give a Sh*&#.......We had them coming through our pet door into the utility room,helping themselves to the cat's food and water on top of our dryer!

 

[smilingcat]

Don't get a weenie dog or any small dog. Coons will kill a dog of same size. In one of my reply, I said, "I've seen a Husky's side torn up by a coon. The dog did survive but did need surgery to put him back together."

Use pepper spray! since you can't shoot him. Another thing is get something substantial. Rabbit hutch on a porch is bit small. A coon will probably rip apart one of those. If all fails, get an electric netting. Tad expensive and tad big, but it will do the job.

And I'm really sorry to hear of your daughter's loss. Losing a pet is never easy.

 

[centrarchid]

Until present dog got on track I had to deal with raccoons myself since I also went through period without rifle. Baseball bat or heavy wooden dowel coupled with a little temper can enable putting ballsy raccoons on run. If animal does not run the ball bat can deliver lethal blow even to an adult. Aim for back of head and be prepared for multiple swings. Aluminum bat best if swinging that hard since wooden may crack or break. Generally raccoon will stand down if you push issue, just do not push hard unless prepared to swing and hit hard because sometimes a cornered raccoon will come at your leg. I have yet to be bitten but have had them give a very good bluff that got me to back off first couple times it happened. Generally all you will have to do is poke the critter and it will ditch. They have teeth but you are are at least 5 times bigger and size does matter to a raccoon that does not want to loose life over a potential meal.

A word of caution; if you give chase, then make certain you know lay of land. Finding ditches and fences while running full tilt in dark hurts a bit.



Something that might be more human is electrifying hutch with fence charger. You want coon to get zapped as it tries to get onto hutch, not after. I am sure the hutch can be beefed up as well. We used to have coons as pets giving plenty of time to learn their ability to break into hutches, coops and even open air roosts can be defeated.

 

[Rhoise]

I once fought a muskrat with a pool cue(heavy dowel hee hee) in my nightgown bare foot.....he was wedged between two propane tanks on the side of my house, bloodying the heck out of my golden lab who looked like a blood red lab and barking his fool head off waking up the neighborhood ****** cause he was getting bit bad but couldn't get the rat to come out and play......I am not brave enough to fight a coon even with boots on and a baseball bat, they're nasty! Traps are much more reliable and safer, but not as good an adrenaline rush!!

Smileycat, my little rat dogs were huddled in my bedroom sound asleep in their cushy dog beds, and the cat was the one to sound the alarm, he started howling/growling probley cause the coon was challenging him, and/or eating his food...

 

[patman75]

I'm not sure where you live but most states allow for trapping and killing of animals that is threating or destroying livestock. Get a live trap or a dukes dog proof raccoon trap and a gun, a .22 will do.

Then follow SSS. Shoot, shovel, shutup.

 

[Puritanbob]

I second the three SSS recommendation, we've had something mauling our little guys lately judging by the brutality (one wing ripped off) I'm thinking a raccoon.

 

[HEChicken]

Speaking from experience, a .22 makes such a little pop, it sounds just like a firecracker. Conservation lands or no, I reserve the right to defend my property which includes my livestock and pets.