Will raccoons attack/kill my barn cats?

[DuckDuckSook]

I wish I had a suggestion for you. We live in an area that is surround by predators, and have the same problem as you. If I have predator issues, usually I just keep my chickens and ducks locked in a predator proof coop and run for a few weeks. We've dealt with Coyotes this way and they dissipate, haven't had an attack in a few years, and we free ranged a lot last summer. Cats are hard, unfortunately, we've lost a lot of our indoor outdoor cats to predators. Unless you can keep them inside, theres no real way to keep them safe from predators without removing them. I'm not willing to remove a predator, so we just pick really smart breeds. The 3 cats that we have right now are doing well, they're been able to figure out how to stay safe out here.
We have Stash who is a Siamese Manx mix, she is very smart. Dupsy is a mix of some sort, she was a stray kitten that a friend gave us after they trapped the litter. Baby is a Siamese mix, not sure what else she's crossed with. We always try to go with Siamese, unless your willing to remove a predator, you need breeds that are smart.
Coyotes seem to be the biggest issue in our area, we've always had losses due to them. Not sure about Raccoons, but they're definitely a thread to the poultry.

Thanks for the information. The cats I have are semi-feral cats that are from a rescue that re-homes them to barns like ours. I didn't really get to pick specific breeds. Two are calico tortie mixes, one is a tuxedo and the other is a tabby. One of the calico/tabby mixes who was the friendliest with me is the one I haven't seen now in 4 days. I'm really hoping she's just out exploring. She's disappeared before but never longer than 3 days.
I know the raccoons are a threat to the poultry. My chickens/ducks are all in a fully secure run and I lock them up at night in the coop. I don't free range until the summer and even then it's only during the day when we are outside too.

 

[Weeg]

Thanks for the information. The cats I have are semi-feral cats that are from a rescue that re-homes them to barns like ours. I didn't really get to pick specific breeds. Two are calico tortie mixes, one is a tuxedo and the other is a tabby. One of the calico/tabby mixes who was the friendliest with me is the one I haven't seen now in 4 days. I'm really hoping she's just out exploring. She's disappeared before but never longer than 3 days.
I know the raccoons are a threat to the poultry. My chickens/ducks are all in a fully secure run and I lock them up at night in the coop. I don't free range until the summer and even then it's only during the day when we are outside too.

We have a similar system at our shelters around here. Semi feral cats are probably fine, they're usually pretty smart.
Our Siamese kitty Stash disappeared out of no where last year for 5 days. We were very worried about her, one day she decided to come prancing back down the driveway like nothing had happened. I hope your kitty turns up soon.

 

[Poultrybonkers]

Yes coons will kill cats ive had cats laying around dead before more then one to

 

[Aunt Angus]

All 900 gazillion of my cats (I only have 4, but that FEELS like 900 gazillion) live indoors. But my neighbor has an indoor/outdoor cat who is quite aged. The raccoons get into her food regularly, but they've never gone after the cat. They've squared off, but the cat manages to chase them off.

People all over the valley adjacent to us gave cars. We see them sometimes: a black cat, a white cat with black patches, and a gray tabby. We've been visited by these same for over a year.

I guess it depends on the raccoons. We gave a family of raccoons that live up in an oak tree by our goat barn. I see them every once in a while, but they only come out late at night when my birds are locked up. We've tried teapping, but they don't take the bait ( pun unintended). Of course, we do have electric fencing. I'm sure that helps - lol

 

[DuckDuckSook]

Well, my calico/tortie mix has not returned. I'm so sad, but the other three kitties are thriving. I'll miss her. Maybe she's at another nearby farm instead.
The raccoons have not been spotted since the weather warmed a bit and I've been going down to the barn to remove all food prior to sundown. I'm hoping that does the trick for now. If not, I'll look into trapping. Thanks for all your help!

 

[50-45-1]

I think your answer is the racoon sized haveaheart trap. Take a tuna fish can and wire it inside the cage so it cant be displaced. Racoons are very smart, and will learn quickly to reach in from the side, and pull bait to the wall of the cage and eat it there.
Dont trap coons in a live trap, unless you are prepared and have a plan to permanently dispatch them. Relocated raccoons become some other poultry owners nightmare.
The livetrap also may come in handy with your farrel cats. As this is how one person in a nearby small town caught and had every ferrel cat in the neighborhood spayed and neutered and got them veterinary care.

 

[Franklinridgefarms]

Raccoons can and will readily kill chickens. I don’t think they will likely be a threat to adult cats but they will kill kittens.
I would trap them and not relocate them afterwards. More will eventually come but just be vigilant and trap them as well.
Predators and pests, are a continual issue for farmers, and anyone with pets or poultry.
Raccoons will cause a lot of damage in terms of killing chickens and damaging and wasting feeds, that they can gain access to.
I would only feed the cats what they will eat in a few minutes and not leave it laying by them as that just attracts varmits and rodents.

 

[ColtHandorf]

One of my outdoor cats befriended a large boar raccoon and was letting him nap with him during the day. I put a stop to that relatively quickly, but the raccoon never hurt the cat.

 

[McChooky]

Coyotes will kill a cat quicker than a raccoon.Depends of how aggressive the raccoon is. We've never had a cat killed by any predators only cars and dogs.Our younger cats are inside side only except for the older ones and they come in at night.Owls kill cats if they get the chance(knock them off the roof,etc)

 

[DuckDuckSook]

Coyotes will kill a cat quicker than a raccoon.Depends of how aggressive the raccoon is. We've never had a cat killed by any predators only cars and dogs.Our younger cats are inside side only except for the older ones and they come in at night.Owls kill cats if they get the chance(knock them off the roof,etc)

I didn't think of owls. We do live in an area that includes several wooded spots. I've never seen or heard an owl, but I'm sure they are out there. We do have plenty of hawks (red tailed, red shouldered, etc.). Would they go after a full grown cat? I didn't think so but maybe?