would a racoon climb a fence?

[sheeshshe]

OK, I just went out to the coop to let the chicks into the run. I open the pop up door thingie and the wood felt bent like in the middle. it didn't feel this way yesterday. the only way they could get in there would be to climb the fence and get in through the top where I don't have it covered as of yet... thats 6 feet high of fence. would an animal do this in the night? or did something just happen to my door and I didn't realize it? nothing dug or anything... I just found it to be strange that the door was this way and the little latch thing I have on the inside was moved from the position I had it in last night....

 

[BeccaOH]

Yes, a coon can climb a fence. They will especially climb where the fence is supported by a post. I had one climb up and over fence into my duck pen. Mine is 5 feet tall.

 

[thechickenchick]

Yes! Most definitely. I saw one climbing over our 5 foot backyard fence right after he killed the kittens living under my back steps.

 

[ginbart]

I would think a raccoon could climb a fence. They climb trees very well. And their very smart at figuring out how to open things. I’d keep an eye out tonight and see what you see. Let us know.

 

[thechickenchick]

I don't know what your opinion for "discipline" of coons are, but either way I would set up a trap tonight. You can get a live trap at any feed store for about $40. They will return every night as long as they know there is food there.

 

[lilchick]

Yes they can climb even the side of a building ..My neighbors had an old milk house modified for layers and a coon climbed up and tore edge off roof and killed several and carried away their rooster. He came back the next afternoon across the field! Tore up and missing feathers but somehow he managed to get away....
I had a large dog who would leap up and pick the coon right off the top of fences.....

 

[Galaxiedriver]

A raccoon will do almost anything to get at chickens, including climb a fence. They are very ingenius. They figure things out as to how to get in, and will tear up cheap wire.

IMHO the best thing to do once a raccoon discovers your flock is to eliminate it by shooting or trapping. Same with foxes and coyotes.

We have had our flock for going on 8 weeks and are surrounded by such predators. I keep a 22 rifle with trigger lock and ammo ready all the time. I will take no prisoners.

To me shooting them is far more humane than the terror and torture they put a chicken flock through when they attack.

 

[fhdogs]

I'd say it's definitely possible for a raccoon to climb a fence. Especially if you are in an area where there are many fences, and they have become accustomed to needing to get around them regularly.

I have an extra length of electric wire run along the top of my fence. Hopefully if anything ever tries to scale the fence it'll get knocked of at the top as a last resort.

 

[teach1rusl]

Most definitely...not as agile as squirrels, but can do a LOT more damage (never seen a squirrel attacking anything but birdfeeders...lol). You will have to trap it and dispose of it : (

 

[sheeshshe]

hmmm. I'm going to investigate a little more in a bit here.

I don't want to think that they got in since there was NO fence at all for the longest time. so why would they do this AFTER I put up a fence ya know? kind of weird... BUt that door was all messed up... perhaps I'll look for claw marks on the outside of the door.

I do have some chicken wire for the ventilation on the coop... that makes me a bit nervous... I need to get rid of that. I guess I'll be screwing the pop door shut again like I was doing before. I figured thats just difficult to do now that I let them into the run in the mornings. I don't want to screw it and unscrew it EVER DAY. ya know? thats a big pitb! I could do a lock on the outside, but then again thats another, have to get into the run and do it... I'd rather do it from inside the coop ya know? I just can't figure out a way to have a lock on the inside the way it is designed...