A Strong Sense Of Smellīefore a raccoon even sees the chickens, they’ll smell them. Here are just a few ways that raccoons get to your chickens. Plus, they have sharp claws and strong teeth to aid in their entry. They have dexterous hands that help them get through barriers that other animals can’t break apart. How do these clever animals get to your chickens, anyway? There are plenty of cunning animals that meander through your property in the dead of night, but raccoons are unique. If you have chickens, it’s only a matter of time before those pests try to break their way through the coop and eat your birds. However, they can also live underground in abandoned dens or natural cavities that form in trees.Īny sign that a raccoon is nearby should raise red flags. These animals can live in nest-like structures high in trees. Of course, keep an eye out for raccoon nests as well. You might even have one inside your attic or garage! Look for scat stations in corners, hidden in bushes, and inside structures. They might have moved closer to the chickens, trying to get into the coop. Scat stations indicate that raccoons are in the vicinity. Known as “scat stations” or “latrines,” they appear as large piles of parasite-ridden feces.Įxpert Tip: Be careful around those! Raccoons are carriers of roundworms and other parasites. Raccoons tend to create “bathrooms” that they will use repeatedly. It’s a good idea to look around for raccoon droppings as well. If you see them around the enclosure, you know that a raccoon is interested and will likely try again. You may see them before these pests are lucky enough to get in and snag a chicken. They don’t have thumbs, but there are five pointy fingers with claws on end.Īlways keep an eye out for raccoon tracks around your chicken coop. Raccoons have distinct prints that look like tiny human hands. In addition to guts, you’ll see footprints. Many homeowners report seeing blood and other entrails on other sides of their property or even on their front porch. You may even see chicken guts strewn across your property. But in most cases, they’ll tear the chicken to bits and get rid of the parts they don’t want. They might chew on other things depending on how hungry they are. It’s not a pretty sight, and many would say it’s downright diabolical! You’ll see feathers everywhere, organs, entrails, and tons of other gross stuff. When a raccoon has killed a chicken there will be bits and pieces of the chicken left behind. Some animal experts say it’s almost like raccoons want you to know they were there! They don’t care about leaving the sight pristine like other animals to disguise their presence once they go. While they do a fantastic job of staying unseen at night, they’re not so graceful in how they treat prey. If a raccoon has already attacked or eaten your chickens, you’ll probably know! How To Tell If A Raccoon Has Attacked Your Chickens So if you suspect that a raccoon is killing your chickens, you need to take action to keep them safe (more on that later). These animals reportedly remember food sources for up to three years! What’s worse is that once they attack, they’ll come back. Raccoons will do anything they can to eat your chickens if they find them. Pair that with their nimble fingers and ability to navigate their surroundings in the dark, and they can cause serious trouble for chicken owners. The nighttime bandits are too intelligent for their own good. Those egg-laying birds can also be a target of foxes, hawks, coyotes, weasels, and more.Īll that said, raccoons tend to be one of the more vicious chicken predators. They are one of many potential threats your chickens face. Unfortunately, raccoons do eat chickens ( among other animals).
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