If you are wondering how to protect chickens from raccooons, read this. They are a common problem in many areas of the country. While chickens are not directly targeted by raccoons, they can find them and take them as dinner. They also find chicken feeders and ground-based seeds tempting. Keeping a chicken coop secure is a must, but you can make it as safe as possible for your flock by taking preventative measures.
One of the best ways to keep raccoons out of your chicken coop is to use a trained dog. Dogs have been used for centuries to protect people and property. Their smell makes predators run away. You can also choose a dog breed that likes chickens. Be sure to check local laws before trapping any wildlife. In some states, trapping raccoons is illegal.
Raccoons are the primary carrier of the rabies virus in the U.S., but chickens cannot contract rabies from a raccoon. However, raccoons are extremely smart animals, and they can remember the solution to a problem for three years. If they find a chicken coop or a chicken run, they will likely try to grab the birds through the fence. It is important to note that raccoons defecate a lot in the area where they feed, so check for raccoon droppings on your property.
Another way to protect your chickens from raccoons is to install hardware cloth. Hardware cloth is much more durable than chicken wire and has a finer mesh than chicken wire. If you are unsure about the best choice, ask a professional to come out and help you with this. The advice they give is invaluable. If you have questions, be sure to ask your vet. The best way to protect your chickens from raccoons is to follow these simple tips and avoid letting them in your coop.
Keep in mind that predators attack your chickens at all times of the day. Some leave signs or even leave a dead chicken behind. They can also attack your chickens at night. Luckily, it is easy to protect them against these predators. And if you are unable to do so, the consequences will be even greater. If you do not act quickly, you may lose them. You can take action against the predators in a timely fashion, which will prevent further losses.
For more effective and practical solutions, you can spray your garden with cayenne pepper spray. This is a strong deterrent that works well in keeping raccoons away from chicken coops. Mix cayenne pepper with hot sauce and spray the perimeter of the coop and greenery. You can also sprinkle Epsom salt around your vegetable garden. Raccoons are repulsed by the strong smell of these substances.
While raccoons are smaller than other predators, they still have the dexterity to open simple latches and other locks. Even two-step closures and padlocks can be opened by these animals. The raccoons will then dig to get a larger opening, allowing you to safely move your chickens. And if all else fails, you can install a motion-detection light in the area around the coop.
