A Murder Most Foul

[TIFFERS]

...if you've been following my thread, Other Options? (http://forums.petlovers.com/vb/showthread.php?t=27119), you'll know that the Raccoon Army has appeared again and you'll know the terrible crime they've committed.

Well, I was walking around my yard in the daylight today, looking for parts that I wouldn't want my dog or cats to eat and get sick from. ...luckily, I didn't find any parts, but I did find enough feathers to make a comforter.

ONE (http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/tiffydyann/S5004792.jpg) TWO (http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/tiffydyann/S5004793.jpg) THREE (http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/tiffydyann/S5004794.jpg) FOUR (http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/tiffydyann/S5004795.jpg) FIVE (http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/tiffydyann/S5004796.jpg)SIX (http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/tiffydyann/S5004799.jpg)SEVEN (http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/tiffydyann/S5004800.jpg)

Also, I took pictures of what they did to the gate to the coop...
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/tiffydyann/S5004801.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/tiffydyann/S5004791.jpg

...and where they are digging up under the coop to get inside. The picture doesn't really do it justice because it's deeper and there are more than one hole.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/tiffydyann/S5004802.jpg

[TIFFERS]

I've also included pictures of just how big the back yard is...this doesn't include the front yard, or the large side lot that's also considered our yard. So, buying some kind of powder or electric fencing is a little crazy.

From the back looking towards the house... (Yes, that's Catillac coming towards me, she loves the camera.)

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/tiffydyann/S5004797.jpg

From the house looking towards the back...

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/tiffydyann/S5004790.jpg

[Kat Lover]

I love your yard! Have you thought about calling animal control for traps for the racoons? Especially since you are having trouble with your chickens and poor kitty cat that got saved from the tree.
Wouldn't someone place the racoons, once there caught, in a wooded area, for wild life?

[TIFFERS]

Thanks for the compliment about my yard. :)

I've called the SPCA, Animal Control, and the Park Rangers (I live in a National Forest). No one will pick them up unless we catch them...there's only about 20 raccoons. :mad: Can't shoot them...they're government raccoons...ugh, it's terrible.

[Kat Lover]

Can you get traps from the Animal Control, and put them through out your yard? I had to do that a few years ago for Posuums and Racoons. One of them had bitten my cat in three places on his tail. Not a fun ordeal. I caught about 5 of them. Then had no more problems.

[TIFFERS]

...they don't have enough traps. They've attacked my cats, eaten my chickens, busted through our house. :) Have you read the Other Option's thread? It goes into great detail of the raccoon problem. :D

[Macawpower58]

I am glad to hear your kitties are safe. Sorry about your chickens, are they pets, or do you have them for eggs/meat supplements? Though you state Fluff and Catillac can take care of themselves, I'd still be very cautious, most full grown dogs come out the worse after an encounter with a coon, let alone a cat.

Tiffers, the coons come because of food outside right? Chickens, and cat food. What if you make food unacessable anymore? Feed all kitties indoors for now, and rebuild your chicken coop. Have you any experience brick laying? Possibly a brick perimeter for the chickens, or poured concrete that goes into the ground deep enough to discourage digging under it? There has to be some way to remove the temptation of an easy meal.

Have you ever thought of getting a coon hound?? Or livestock guardian dog? Live stock dogs are raised in with the animals you want protected. The chickens, sheep, goats etc...become the livestock dogs life. They will protect them to the death. The most well-known of these livestock guardian breeds in the United States are the Great Pyrenees, Anatolian Shepherds, Akbash and Maremma.

I do not want to frighten you. But, your troubles may intensify. I have read of raccoon armies that eventually tore out window screens, pet doors, and found other ways to enter homes once the outside food was removed. Your raccoons seem healthy and not too frightened of you. They will have kits and the amount of them will increase. Their aggression will increase also as the moms have babies. You need to find something to frighten them.

[TIFFERS]

Sorry about your chickens, are they pets, or do you have them for eggs/meat supplements?

They're there for eggs, but they're not necessarily 'livestock' either.

Tiffers, the coons come because of food outside right? What if you make food unacessable anymore? Feed all kitties indoors for now, and rebuild your chicken coop.
The cat food was always inside...they've ripped apart the outside wall to get inside. The coop is built, and sturdy...it's the outer fencing of the coop they destroyed. We've locked everything up now. No way in...that we know of, though raccoons are smarter than humans. They'll find a way. :)

Have you ever thought of getting a coon hound?? Or livestock guardian dog? My mother wants one, but I'm content with Chica and she wouldn't appreciate another dog.

But, your troubles may intensify. I have read of raccoon armies that eventually tore out window screens, pet doors, and found other ways to enter homes once the outside food was removed. Your raccoons seem healthy and not too frightened of you. They will have kits and the amount of them will increase. Their aggression will increase also as the moms have babies. You need to find something to frighten them.

There are two adults and the rest are babies. They've already destroyed parts of the house, and do not fear humans. I've been told by everyone to put a BB in their butt, but good heaven's...I can't even shoot a house if my life depended on it. :)

[krazy4birds]

I have been reading about your problem there and my input as little of it I have is just what Becky told you. Get a couple of coon hounds if only temporary (like borrow somebodies ) or trapping and replacement. Even with just one trap odds are eventually you will get rid of them. One at a time is better than none! Good luck!!!!!!!

[Macawpower58]

One other idea comes to mind. If they allow you to get close enough, mace the heck out of them. They're acting like common criminals........treat them as such.