Speaking of chickens (my trap story)...

[Tammy]

I wasn't going to tell anyone this story....but here goes,LOL....

Remember I found a raccoon around my chicken cage? Well I thought for sure it would kill my chickens....so I rushed out to get a trap. Well....after setting up the trap....not 5 minutes later....BAM! I caught a opposum!!! I had to get him out....and set it again....well.... not 5 minutes later...BAM! I caught the raccoon!

I told my kids we would leave it in there until the next day so I could call Fish and Wildlife to come and get it. Well....my kids then noticed BLOOD in the cage. The raccoon was trying to get out....and his feet were bleeding! We decided the poor little guy looked so sad in there..... I LET IT GO!

But....I figure the raccoon has been in my backyard a long time now...and hasn't gotten my chickens YET....(I put them in a cage at night).

So that is my pathetic story....LOL

Tammy

[Jean in Newcastle]

Wow! Both the opposum and the raccoon were after a chicken dinner! If that raccoon is still out there, I'd keep a close eye on those chickens!

[Tammy]

I thought if they really wanted those chickens....they have all day to get them.... I know both the raccoon and opposum are around every night....since the oppossum goes by my back porch each night....LOL!

Would the raccoon come out during the day and try to get them?

I guess I better keep my fingers crossed!

Tammy

[Hen Jen]

raccoons have been known to kill chickens by grabbing them through the holes in the chicken wire and pulling them through it- just horrible to think about. They are very strong. Make sure the chickens are locked up at night, and that the cage is sturdy. They do like chicken. We used chicken wire with very small holes for this reason.

I'm a softy for animals too, I probably would have let it go too!

[Tammy]

has very small holes in it....plus....I have them right by my bathroom window....and my window is always open at night...so if something was after them....my dog (who sleeps with me) would be all over it, LOL!

I am surprised the raccoons have even 'attempted' to get them though.

Tammy

[Adrianne]

I am not too familiar with the cycles of the racoon but as we approach baby season, we are watchful for critters. Last year a fox came after our chickens and "stole" them.

It all started on Easter Sunday last year in April. In May I found a chicken pelvic bone and legs with one of our green tags around the ankle (yuck!) in the entrance hole of some sort of den while we were mushroom hunting on our neighbors property. I learned, from a local wildlife person, the fox was taking the chickens back to his den to feed their babies. This is a behaviour only done while nursing their young. Sure enough, the chicken stealing stopped in June when the babies were sent on their own.

Anyway, I would worry that the raccoons will try in the future. They are notorious for stealing chickens.

Chickens sure do keep you hopping!

[Adrianne]

We have had critters take our chickens during the day also especially during baby season.

Good for you for having them close to a window where a dog can hear!

[jail warden]

Does that tell you that I know nothing about chickens! :tongue_smilie: I would love to get some layers and fryers this summer.:drool: If we keep them in Chicken Tractors would they be fine, or do I have to be more cautious than that?

[Jenstet]

We have 6 foot chain link fence around our chickens and we still loose them. The racoons and fisher cats climb right in and grab them. No blood, no remains. I find leaving eggs in there helps. The racoons prefer to steal the eggs rather than kill a chicken.

[Tammy]

They aren't afraid of ANYTHING. If my dog goes out....they will try to get the dog...and start pecking it, LOL. If they see birds flying down to eat their food....they run after them. They even ran after my cats....trying to peck them too!

Maybe those raccoons are afraid of them, LOL! I only have two! LOL

Tammy

[Adrianne]

If we keep them in Chicken Tractors would they be fine, or do I have to be more cautious than that?

I have heard good things about chicken tractors. I do not have one though.

Good luck getting started!

[Adrianne]

Maybe I should send my chickens to your place for training! You could start chicken self defense classes! LOL!

[HomeOnTheRanch]

When we lived in the city, we had possums come into our yard and kill the chickens. Did you know chickens trying to get away from a possum can fly over a fence and swim in a pool? Have you ever tried drying a chicken with a hair dryer at 2 in the morning?

The possums haven't bothered us since we've moved up here, but we've had a raccoon steal our eggs during the day. The kids found her waiting outside the door in the morning for the chickens to be let out so she could go in and take the eggs. We figured she had young that she was feeding.