Is this a predator? Poop ID!

[medinam]

Hi,

This scratch is new near the door of the coop- any ideas!? I live in downtown Durham NC USA if that’s helpful.

Also, is this all chicken poop or do I have a big problem?

Thank you!
Medina

 

[SMorrison7k]

It's hard to tell, but it looks like it could be skunk or raccoon... But I'm not the best with ID. Hopefully somebody can give you a more definitive answer!

 

[Dr.GarryTTucker]

Looks like raccoon which are these two the other is skunk

 

[TK421]

I wouldn’t worry about the scratch. That’s a really deep scratch and I’m not convinced it was caused by an animal (because I’m a clutz im used to gauging things with shovels, rakes, wheelbarrows, etc and not even noticing). The scat however looks mammalian to me. Is this possible given the openings of the coop? Were any chickens missing?

 

[SpeckledSussex2005]

The pictures you took were skunk droppings. Try to set a trap.

 

[medinam]

Wow! No chickens are missing and we sleep with windows open —- I assumed I’d hear the girls making noise if a raccoon or skunk got in. How in the world! I’ve had some experience with trap setting for raccoons (a year ago a very old, large raccoon was standing in my daughters sand box while she was in it! I nearly died.) I think I prefer the skunk or raccoon problem over the rat problem.

This morning during my coop chores I noticed the wire around the PVC was moved (no hair or blood) and I think something made it’s way in that way. Animals are so clever.

I’m considering reinforcing the wire around the PVC and then only using it for treats and getting a grandpa feeder for their food - looking at reviews now. Chime in if you’ve had some experience with this feeder keeping rats and other animals away!

 

[SpeckledSussex2005]

In January a bobcat got into our chicken coop and killed all ten of our hens in one night. I made sure the coop was a fortress after that. I use a 10x10 chain link dog kennel with a tin roof as a coop now. I have predator proof wire on the bottom and one foot up the sides. Coyotes and bobcats are a bigger problem to us than raccoons and skunks though. Also, chicken wire is meant to keep chickens in, and not predators out. I would upgrade to hardware cloth if possible. I would still try to use a box trap to catch the predator. Raccoons are usually to smart, but skunks and possums are easy to catch. Good luck!

 

[medinam]

In January a bobcat got into our chicken coop and killed all ten of our hens in one night. I made sure the coop was a fortress after that. I use a 10x10 chain link dog kennel with a tin roof as a coop now. I have predator proof wire on the bottom and one foot up the sides. Coyotes and bobcats are a bigger problem to us than raccoons and skunks though. Also, chicken wire is meant to keep chickens in, and not predators out. I would upgrade to hardware cloth if possible. I would still try to use a box trap to catch the predator. Raccoons are usually to smart, but skunks and possums are easy to catch. Good luck!

Oh no!!
We had our coop made. So I have to admit I do t know if this is chicken wire or hardware cloth. Can you tell from this picture?

The coop is in the corner of our yard where the privacy fence meets. Something animals like raccoons can climb up...?
The coop sits over the run and the entire thing sits in top of a platform.

Any advice you can give to predator proof this based on what you see is gold to me.

 

[Trish1974]

View attachment 1407745 View attachment 1407746 View attachment 1407747


Oh no!!
We had our coop made. So I have to admit I do t know if this is chicken wire or hardware cloth. Can you tell from this picture?

The coop is in the corner of our yard where the privacy fence meets. Something animals like raccoons can climb up...?
The coop sits over the run and the entire thing sits in top of a platform.

Any advice you can give to predator proof this based on what you see is gold to me.

That is chicken wire. Raccoons could easily rip through it. Hardware cloth is expensive but worth the investment.
Edited to add: You will also want some kind of anti-dig apron around your run. Fox could dig under that in no time!

 

[medinam]

Omg! I assume that if I was paying $700 I have a chicken coop made it would’ve been made with proper predator proof materials. I feel like such a sucker! Going to Home Depot today to reinforce this. Thank you so much.