Jake Harper
Raccoons are a serious threat to chickens, and can wreak havoc in chicken coops. They are intelligent, agile, and dextrous, with sensitive hands, and can remember solutions to problems for up to three years. They are also nocturnal, giving them the cover of darkness to sneak into chicken coops. Chicken wire is not sufficient to keep raccoons out, but there are several strategies that can be used to protect chickens from raccoons, including using stronger materials such as hardware cloth, reinforcing coops with latches that require multiple steps to open, removing food sources, and setting traps.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chicken coop material | Use hardware cloth with 1/2" or 1/4" mesh, securely fastened. Bury mesh under the run or create an "apron" fence to stop them from digging in. |
| Chicken coop design | The Eglu Cube Chicken Coop offers maximum security for your flock. The Eglu Cube has innovative coop access door t-locks that must be pressed down and twisted in order to unlock. |
| Chicken coop latches | Raccoon-proof latches: add a screw-lock carabiner to your existing latch. Padlocks are also a good option. |
| Chicken food | Remove all sources of food. |
| Chicken safety at night | Lock up your chickens at night. |
| Chicken breed | Breeds known for their alertness, such as Rhode Island Reds and Plymouth Rocks, may offer some protection. |
| Chicken netting | Supplement your safety measures with tangle-free bird netting. |
| Chicken traps | Use a have-a-heart style trap placed along the fence line and baited with half a can of cat food and a marshmallow or two. |
| Chicken predators | Raccoons, foxes, coyotes, hawks, and more. |
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What You'll Learn
Use stronger materials than chicken wire
Raccoons pose a serious threat to chickens. They are crafty, capable of problem-solving, and dexterous, making them adept at infiltrating chicken coops. Chicken wire is not strong enough to keep raccoons out; they can rip through it with ease. To effectively protect your chickens, it is crucial to use stronger materials, such as hardware cloth or welded wire.
Hardware cloth is a type of wire mesh that offers a more robust and durable alternative to chicken wire. It is made from galvanized, stainless steel, or bare steel wires that are woven or welded together to form a square or rectangular grid pattern. The key advantage of hardware cloth lies in its smaller mesh size and thicker wires, making it significantly stronger than chicken wire. The smaller the gauge of the wire, the stronger the mesh. For optimal protection against raccoons, choose hardware cloth with a mesh size of 1/2" to 1/4".
To install hardware cloth, it is recommended to bury it at least 12 inches into the ground around the perimeter of the coop and run, or underneath the floor. This will deter raccoons and other digging predators from gaining access. Additionally, you can create an "apron" fence with the hardware cloth to prevent raccoons from digging under the run.
Another option for reinforcing your chicken coop is to use welded wire. This type of wire is available in various sizes, such as 1 x 2 or 2 x 4, and can be used to strengthen the bottom of your chicken wire fence. Similar to hardware cloth, it is recommended to bury one end of the welded wire about 12 inches underground to prevent raccoons and other critters from digging their way into the coop.
While raccoons can be a nuisance, implementing these stronger materials will help ensure the safety of your chickens. By using hardware cloth or welded wire, you can effectively deter raccoons and rest assured that your flock is well-protected.
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Employ traps and repellents
Raccoons are incredibly crafty and can use their dexterity and problem-solving skills to outwit chicken coop locks and latches. They are also nocturnal and patient, so they will wait until nightfall to strike. To prevent them from invading your chicken coop, you can employ various traps and repellents.
First, it is important to inspect your chicken coop for any vulnerabilities. Raccoons can dig, so if your coop has a dirt floor, consider burying an apron of welded wire around the perimeter. They can also reach through mesh cloth with wide openings, so use hardware cloth with openings smaller than one square inch. Ensure that your coop has a solid roof and no gaps that raccoons can exploit.
Raccoons are attracted to strong scents, especially food. To prevent them from being drawn to your chicken coop, keep all trash in tightly sealed bins and remove any fallen fruit or leftover food from the area. You can also create a repellent spray by mixing cayenne pepper, hot sauce, and water, and spritzing it around the perimeter of the coop. Raccoons also dislike the smell of Epsom salt, so sprinkling this around your coop may help.
To trap raccoons, you can use baited traps. One effective method is to smear peanut butter on the trip plate of the trap, including the underside, and place marshmallows in the back. The raccoon will be tempted by the peanut butter and, when it tries to lick the plate, will trigger the trap door.
You can also use deterrents to scare raccoons away. Motion-activated sprinklers, bright motion sensor lights, and wind chimes can all be effective. Ultrasonic repellents emit high-frequency noises that humans cannot hear but may drive raccoons away. Predator deterrent lights, such as the Nite Guard Solar lights, are also a good option. Mount them at eye level for raccoons (about 10-15 inches from the ground) on all four sides of the coop to ensure they see the lights and stay away.
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Reinforce your coop and run
Raccoons pose a serious threat to chickens. They are crafty, capable of problem-solving, and can remember solutions to problems for up to three years. They are also surprisingly strong and can rip through chicken wire. Therefore, it is important to reinforce your coop and run to keep them out.
Firstly, use hardware cloth with 1/2" or 1/4" mesh securely fastened instead of chicken wire. Bury the mesh under the run or create an "apron" fence to prevent raccoons from digging in. Additionally, use raccoon-proof latches. Raccoons are problem solvers, but if your coop has a latch that requires two or more steps, most raccoons will give up and move on. For example, add a screw-lock carabiner or a padlock to your existing latch.
Another option is to use an electric fence. You can set up two strings of hotwire: one 6 inches from the ground and the other 6 inches from the top of the fence around the coop. This has proven effective in keeping raccoons out of the chicken coop. You can also elevate your chicken coop to prevent water from getting in.
Furthermore, ensure that your chicken coop is well-secured. Use an automatic door that closes at a certain time every night, and secure the door with a carabiner. Also, consider using a chicken coop with innovative access door t-locks that must be pressed down and twisted to unlock, making it difficult for raccoons to break in.
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Remove all food sources
Raccoons are attracted to food sources, so removing these is a good way to keep them away from your chicken coop. They are opportunistic omnivores with excellent olfactory senses, so they will feast on anything they can get their paws on. They are particularly fond of trash bins, so make sure all trash is tied up in garbage bags and kept in a bin with a lid. Do not leave trash bags lying around, and be sure to pick up any rotting fruit that has fallen from trees.
Raccoons are also attracted to pet food, so if you feed your cat or dog outside, this will be prime pickings for any passing raccoons. Keep pet food in airtight containers and pick up any uneaten food at the end of the day. Bird feeders are another source of food for raccoons, so keep these out of reach or take them inside.
Chicken feed, scratch, and treats are very tantalizing to raccoons, so only feed your chickens at specific times and pick up any leftover food. To cut down on waste, you can serve scratch in chicken peck toys and fresh fruits and veggies in a Caddi Chicken Treat Holder. Regularly washing feeders and waterers will help to prevent mold and residue buildup, reducing the scent trails that can lead raccoons to your coop.
Eggs are another favorite snack of raccoons, so be sure to remove eggs from the nesting box daily to prevent them from becoming a raccoon's midnight snack. Raccoons are primarily nocturnal, so they do most of their hunting at night. Keeping your chickens locked in their coop overnight is vital for their safety.
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Use raccoon-proof latches
Raccoons are a common problem for chicken keepers. These crafty predators are clever, persistent, and surprisingly strong. They are capable of problem-solving and can remember solutions to problems for up to three years. Raccoons can easily rip through chicken wire and pass their arms through to catch a chicken. They can also undo simple latches such as hook and eye latches and basic handles.
To keep raccoons out of your chicken coop, you need to use raccoon-proof latches. Raccoons are problem solvers, but if your coop has a latch that requires two or more steps, most raccoons will give up and move on. Here are some options for raccoon-proof latches:
- A padlock: While it may take a little extra time to unlock, a padlock is a surefire way to keep raccoons out. You can hang the key right next to the lock or use a combination lock so you don't have to worry about losing the key.
- A screw-lock carabiner: Adding a screw-lock carabiner to your existing latch can make it more difficult for raccoons to open.
- A fence gate latch with a carabiner: Some people have found success using a fence gate latch locked with a carabiner. While raccoons may be able to open the latch, they will likely not be able to work the carabiner.
- Spring-loaded clips: You can use spring-loaded clips for your runs, with two for each door (one high up and one low down).
- A curved piece of wire: You can make a curved piece of wire (10-14 gauge) and thread it through the bottommost hole on the latch. This will prevent the latch from being opened without first removing the wire.
It's important to remember that there is a trade-off between raccoon-proofing your coop and human convenience. You may need to experiment with different latches to find the right balance of security and convenience for your needs.
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Frequently asked questions
Raccoons are intelligent, agile, and persistent. They can rip through chicken wire, so it is recommended to use hardware cloth with 1/2" or 1/4" mesh, securely fastened and buried under the run. You can also use electrical fencing to deliver a harmless yet startling shock to deter raccoons.
Raccoons will often leave a trail of havoc, including claw marks, gnawed material, stretched wire, and feathers. They may also eat chicken feed and eggs, leaving the dead chickens behind.
You can use a live trap baited with marshmallows, sardines, or cat food. If you catch a raccoon, it is advised to release it at least five miles from the capture site. Alternatively, you can use predator-resistant chicken coops with innovative access door t-locks that require multiple steps to open, making it difficult for raccoons to break in.
