Devastating Raccoon Attack

[Lelilamom]

We went away on vacation and secured our 40+ chickens in their large Coop and Run we built for them last year. We came home to 13 slaughtered hens along with our incredibly brave rooster, who looks like he fought valiantly. Some quick investigation work along with an examination of the chickens indicated a Raccoon attack. We set up a game camera, locked the remaining chickens into just the coop, which is stick built with locking doors and spent a sleepless night waiting.
This morning we pulled the scandisk to see 5 raccoons scaling the 10 ft run walls. Muddy footprints show they squeezed inbetween the run roof and the coop roof, a less than 3 inch space.

We've had chickens for almost 9 years and have never had an attack like this. We are devastated. It just shows how much we have to learn.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

If you build it they will come.
There are lulls in activity here but for the most part, I've dealt with attacks and massacres almost every year. My big problem last year were coyotes. A few years ago, in the course of a week mink killed every bird in a different building every night till I was down to a single flock.
As for raccoons, they can climb virtually anything. They are one of the few animals that can descend a tree head first. They've been filmed climbing sheer walls to reach the top of 20+ story buildings. 3" is plenty of room for even adult raccoons to enter. Least weasels and mink can get into 1" openings.

As you can see, a chicken coop and pen is no real challenge for a raccoon - or other predator for that matter.
I'm sure the raccoon lovers in these videos don't keep chickens.

 

[Lelilamom]

If you build it they will come.
There are lulls in activity here but for the most part, I've dealt with attacks and massacres almost every year. My big problem last year were coyotes. A few years ago, in the course of a week mink killed every bird in a different building every night.
As for raccoons, they can climb virtually anything. They are one of the few animals that can descend a tree head first. They've been filmed climbing sheer walls to reach the top of 20+ story buildings. 3" is plenty of room for even adult raccoons to enter. Least weasels and mink can get into 1" openings.

As you can see, a chicken coop and pen is no real challenge for a raccoon - or other predator for that matter.
I'm sure the raccoon lovers in these videos don't keep chickens.

Wow. I had no idea, clearly. We spent the day revising our coop/run plan, setting traps, changing the yard fencing, etc. I don't want to be discouraged, but I have to admit, I am feeling a bit defeated.

On an optimistic note, our broody banty is still sitting on 14 eggs.

 

[Folly's place]

I'm so sorry for your losses!
Most of us have found out the hard way that our coops and runs aren't safe enough, and that we must BUILD BETTER!!!
Any opening larger than 1/2" diameter will let some nasty critter in, and someday that's gonna happen. We had a very safe coop, until a crack in the solid concrete foundation let in rats. Eggs gone, and dead birds later, all fixed. Again. It really never ends, and when bears arrive here someday, electric fencing will need to be added. I just hope for some advanced warning...
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

Raccoons are only cute if you don't have poultry, rabbits, or small children.
Mary

 

[neo71665]

I'm sure the raccoon lovers in these videos don't keep chickens.

Why not? I have 2 coons and 12 chickens.

 

[cmom]

I'm lucky. I put up electric wires around my coops and pens many years ago due to losses from predators and nothing has gotten past the hot wires. I have seen many predators out around the coops but once they learn about the hot wires they don't try again and I think they teach their young that a bird isn't worth getting zapped for. My wires are 10,000+ volts. Good luck...

 

[theoldchick]

What a nightmare. Putting up an electric wire has really stopped the varmints from thinking my chickens are dinner. So sorry for your loss.

 

[swampfox440]

Sorry for your loss ! Don't get mad get even . Buzzards provide us a service cleaning the roadside every so often they need a treat . Yum ! fresh coon meat .

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Wow. I had no idea, clearly. We spent the day revising our coop/run plan, setting traps, changing the yard fencing, etc. I don't want to be discouraged, but I have to admit, I am feeling a bit defeated.

On an optimistic note, our broody banty is still sitting on 14 eggs.

The year of the mink, I was seriously considering getting out of the chicken business after a week of burning chicken carcasses.

Why not? I have 2 coons and 12 chickens.

You are one of a kind.

I'm lucky. I put up electric wires around my coops and pens many years ago due to losses from predators and nothing has gotten past the hot wires. I have seen many predators out around the coops but once they learn about the hot wires they don't try again and I think they teach their young that a bird isn't worth getting zapped for. My wires are 10,000+ volts. Good luck...

Electric fencing is the best weapon.