will opossums and raccoons ever stop coming?

Compensation · October 13, 2015, 02:46:23 PM

I have lost 16 chickens from August to the first week of September. I've seen everything from coons in the coop to opossums dragging one by the neck (I saved her). So after my meltdown I started doing some hunting. I got 5 opossums and 12 raccoons, all within shooting distance from my coops. Only 3 of the 17 were not caught trying to get into the chickens. Will this ever slow down? I'm good with once a month seeing one around the coop but it's every night and 12 of the 16 chickens were hens that I need right now.

Farmerjw · October 13, 2015, 03:04:13 PM

Well, as long as they earn a meal, they'll keep coming. If your chickens are free ranging, then closing the coop at night will stop them during the nighttime. If they are in a pen, places allowing the critters to gain access need to be fixed.

Compensation · October 13, 2015, 03:40:10 PM

Well I have 2 coops, one is a steel 10x12 I just built. And the other is wood attached to the side of my solar kiln and is hooked up to a chain link fence run covered and wrapped in coop wire. They've got in through a washout in the run, wedged between fence and top covering of coop wire. They've gotten under the kiln and thought the plywood cracks around the kiln and into the run. Climbed up a 2x4 that gave them access into the steel coop (took out 5 before I figured that one out). I just can't believe how many there are. I keep figuring out how they get in and they keep inventing ways in. Does anyone want the coon hides?

WV Sawmiller · October 13, 2015, 06:47:17 PM

Compensation,

I caught a few last tear in my barn and around my deer feeders. The possums were never worth skinning so I'd relocate them. I'd have preferred to relocate them to a nice subdivision but my wife insisted I release them in more remote wooded areas (of which we have plenty close by). The coons I'd skin and sell 2 years ago but last year they weren't worth skinning so I'd just relocate them too. I always case the hides and it is not hard nor does it take long to shuck one out of his hide.

I'd check with local hide buyers but I'm hearing rumors poor prices this year too. I'll check in a day or two as I have a couple of deer hides to sell. (Not worth much but you have to remove the hides to get to the meat so may as well let someone use it).

Good luck and keep on trapping.

Gearbox · October 13, 2015, 07:19:01 PM

I had Raccoons in our bird feeders . So I hooked a 12 volt fencer to the pole no more coons . I think a fence around the coop about 6 inches off the ground . Put up a trail cam and get video to show us Gearbox

Chuck White · October 13, 2015, 07:59:33 PM

Lock the chickens in the coop at night, and don't run out of shells!

The electric fence is a good idea too!

GAB · October 13, 2015, 08:05:04 PM

For the ones that get to the party late you might want to try some chemical warfare. Golden malarin (sp) and good old Mountain Dew. A dab of tuna fish for cats might help as an attractant.
Gerald

fishpharmer · October 13, 2015, 08:23:32 PM

Poison is risky business that can get one in big trouble. The electric fence will work.

gfadvm · October 13, 2015, 08:51:09 PM

Our dogs keep the varmits run off around here.

Compensation · October 14, 2015, 12:04:06 AM

Well I have a 12v fence charger hooked up to 5 solar panels and 3 boat batteries on the solar kiln. I had to take the fence down because they free range and get caught in it. I know one day I will forget and leave it on and I don't want to kill my favorite chicken on accident. This charger all ready killed a turtle. They always get locked up at night and I really would like to put up electric fence but I will be fixing it everyday. The poison is a good one I was told. I have caught two of her four cats in live traps already. And just guessing she might want to keep those around. Anyways, I guess I could loop a huge "U" shape of electric fence where I know they don't go.

So do these 2 pests keep coming? I thought I would thin them out but there seems to be no end in sight.

WV Sawmiller · October 14, 2015, 08:12:37 AM

Comp,

If you are catching your neighbors cats and are kind hearted but want to keep them away you might try shaving one side or one end or dye them pink or blue with food coloring then release them. At least the neighbor will know their cat has been somewhere it should not have been.

Raider Bill · October 14, 2015, 08:14:19 AM

I have 12 city chickens and constantly fight critters. It's amazing how many possums and coons live around here.

A post hole digger and a dirt nap ensures they do not return.

Magicman · October 14, 2015, 08:15:38 AM

I had to laugh thinking about a dyed half shaved cat. :D

terry f · October 14, 2015, 01:39:51 PM

Please don't go the poison route

beenthere · October 14, 2015, 03:36:11 PM

If you go the poison route, don't tell anyone about it.. however, it is very effective and there is no messy blood to clean up after a shot or three to displace them. Just a body laying within a few feet of the poison that is easy to toss in the garbage for pickup.
If drowning them in a trap was possible for me, I'd do that even though it takes constant vigil to remember to check the traps. A trapped coon can pack in a good pile of debris laced with urine and scat in very short order.

Raider Bill · October 14, 2015, 04:20:36 PM

Poison scares me that my little dog might get to it somehow.

Banjo picker · October 14, 2015, 05:34:54 PM

If you want to catch them and dispose of them, get you some coon cuffs. Put a large marshmellow down in the bottom under the trigger, an then lay one right on the top. The coon will take the one on top and then have to have the one on the bottom, and when he pulls it up, it snaps on his leg. They will not catch a dog or a cat. I would put you a picture on here, but some would be offended. Look up coon cuff. Banjo

sandsawmill14 · October 14, 2015, 06:52:32 PM

last year my neighbor caught 28

coons out of his sweetcorn patch he said he only got about 100 ears out of a 1/4 acre patch :-\

gspren · October 14, 2015, 08:21:47 PM

Quote from: Banjo picker on October 14, 2015, 05:34:54 PM
If you want to catch them and dispose of them, get you some coon cuffs. Put a large marshmellow down in the bottom under the trigger, an then lay one right on the top. The coon will take the one on top and then have to have the one on the bottom, and when he pulls it up, it snaps on his leg. They will not catch a dog or a cat. I would put you a picture on here, but some would be offended. Look up coon cuff. Banjo

While being mostly dog proof I believe they will catch cats.

WV Sawmiller · October 14, 2015, 08:47:23 PM

Comp,

Sold some deer hides to my hide buyer today and he said don't even bother trapping or skinning them this year as the fur house he uses has over 1 million coon hides they can't get rid of from past years.

You might see if you can develop a market for Davy Crockett hats (every kid needs one) and unload them that way.

wildbill · October 14, 2015, 08:55:07 PM

Our Chiweenies notify us of critters near the coop that shouldnt be there.

by the time im out the door the unwanted critter has been run off or is stuck in a tree with three Chihuahua/Dachshund being braver than they should be below.

Texas Ranger · August 10, 2020, 10:17:27 AM

I run an urban catline to remove feral cats, my most recent visitor has been three possums, maybe just one that doesn't learn. I generally speak sternly to them and admonish them to go forth and sin no more, they give them their walking papers.