I do enjoy most of the posts here.However the pictures of dead raccoons or any other animal is not something I wish to see .Raccoons are just out trying to earn a living like any other wild animal.If you properly secure your pens ,as we do ,you won't be having these problems. We haven't lost any chickens or ducks since we started doing this :) Jane31
Just earning a living
Jane just wanted to let you know that you are not the only way that feels that way on this forum, however it seems like we are in the minority.
Since I am in the city I HAD to predator proof for stray dogs, and the like since if ANY neighbors complained I would have to get rid of them. Figured an ounce of prevention is worth the potential aggravation.
Those that choose not to secure their pens have the right to loose chickens and kill at random whatever gets them. Just know that you are not alone - I bought an Eglu so far EGLU 1 Predator 0. Do not know what did the digging to get at them just know by the hole digging occured.
Thank you MQN. I wonder if the lack of response is because there is no defense .Jane31
Jane, I meant to reply to this post days ago. I absolutely agree that photos of dead animals are certainly not needed here. In fact, I was a little surprised that the moderators don't remove photos like that. I don't object to people killing predator animals but I certainly don't need to see a photo of it every time I click on this forum.
I learned the hard way that free range sounds a lot better than it works and the only way to protect your chickens from predators, wild or domestic, is to have them in a secure pen. That means a coop that can't be breached and a good fence that goes below the ground level so diggers can't dig into it. And something across the top too if you have hawks.