Raising backyard chickens comes with many rewards, but it also poses some risks One of the biggest threats to your flock can be raccoons These clever critters have a reputation for being chicken thieves and killers. If you’ve ever wondered “will a raccoon kill a chicken?” the short answer is yes.
Raccoons are found throughout North America and have adapted well to living in close proximity to humans They are infamous for raiding trash cans and crops, but they also have a taste for chicken Given the opportunity, raccoons will kill and eat chickens without hesitation.
Why Do Raccoons Kill Chickens?
Raccoons are omnivorous mammals, meaning they eat both plant and animal matter. Chickens provide a convenient protein-rich meal for them. Raccoons kill chickens for several reasons:
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Hunger: Raccoons have a varied diet, but they are always on the lookout for food. Chickens are easy prey that satisfies their hunger.
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Opportunity: Backyard chickens are often not as well-protected as chickens on large farms. This makes them an easy target.
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Taste: Many raccoons develop a liking for the taste of chicken meat and eggs. Once they discover an easy chicken meal, they will return for more.
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Instinct: Raccoons are naturally inclined to hunt for food. Their instincts drive them to seek out vulnerable prey like chickens.
Raccoons are much stronger and faster than chickens. They use their dexterous front paws and sharp teeth to overpower their prey. Chickens kept in a backyard run or coop are no match for a determined raccoon.
How Do Raccoons Kill Chickens?
Raccoons employ several techniques to kill backyard chickens:
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Vicious attack: Raccoons will enter a chicken coop or enclosure and viciously attack multiple chickens. They typically bite the head and neck area to kill the bird quickly.
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Reach through fence: Raccoons are able to reach through small openings in chicken wire or fencing to grab birds and kill them. Their nimble paws allow them to snatch chickens through the wire.
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Dig under fence: Raccoons are good diggers and will tunnel under fences or coops to access chickens. Burrowing under the coop gives them full access.
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Pry open coop: Using their dexterous paws, raccoons are able to pry open doors or lids on chicken coops. Once inside, the killing spree begins.
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Unlatch gate: Raccoons have enough intelligence to figure out simple latches on gates or doors. An unlatched gate gives them unfettered access.
Raccoons tend to go on killing sprees once they gain access to chickens. They will wipe out an entire flock in one night if given the chance.
Why Don’t Raccoons Eat All of a Chicken After Killing It?
One of the calling cards of a raccoon attack is that they do not eat entire chickens after killing them. Raccoons will typically eat the head and neck area, and sometimes open the belly to eat internal organs. However, most of the chicken’s body is left uneaten.
There are a few reasons why raccoons exhibit this behavior:
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Lack of appetite: After eating the tastiest portions of a chicken, a raccoon’s appetite is satisfied. They don’t feel the need to keep eating.
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Disinterest: Some raccoons seem more interested in the thrill of the kill rather than eating the chickens afterward. Once the chicken is dead, they lose interest.
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Territorial display: Raccoons may not consume entire chickens as a way of displaying their dominance. The dead chickens serve as a warning to other predators.
Regardless of the reasons, this tendency gives clear evidence that raccoons have raided your coop if multiple partially-eaten chickens are found.
How to Protect Your Chickens from Raccoons
If raccoons are a problem in your area, you’ll need to take precautions to protect your flock. Here are some effective tips:
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Use predator-proof fencing/housing: Chicken wire will not deter raccoons. Use 14 gauge or heavier welded wire fencing at least 5-6 feet tall. Bury fencing 1-2 feet underground to prevent digging.
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Eliminate access points: Seal any openings larger than 1 inch with hardware cloth. Raccoons can squeeze through very small spaces.
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Install electric fencing: A properly installed electric fence will give raccoons a powerful shock if they try to climb or burrow in. Use a solar charger for best results.
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Use raccoon-proof locks: Install sturdy padlocks, combination locks, or latches that require multiple steps to open. Raccoons are great at defeating simple latches.
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Clean up feed spills: Uneaten chicken feed can attract raccoons. Remove waste grain and keep feed in sealed containers.
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Secure trash cans: Raccoons love rummaging for scraps. Make sure lids are tight on garbage cans and dumpsters.
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Install motion lights: Light is a deterrent to these nocturnal animals. Install bright motion-activated security lighting around your coop.
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Use predator urine: The scent of coyote, fox or bobcat urine may frighten raccoons away. Reapply weekly.
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Confine free-range time: Only allow chickens to free range when you are present to supervise. Confine them to a secure run when unattended.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a raccoon kill chickens during the day?
Raccoons generally hunt at night, but mothers teaching young to hunt will kill chickens during daylight hours. Daytime attacks are less common but certainly possible.
Can raccoons transmit diseases to chickens?
Chickens cannot catch rabies from raccoons, but they can pick up other diseases through raccoon saliva and feces. Protect chickens from any physical contact with wild raccoons.
What time of year do raccoons attack chickens most often?
Spring and summer tend to see more raccoon attacks as juvenile raccoons leave the nest and start hunting on their own. Lack of natural food sources also contributes during warmer months.
Will a rooster deter raccoons from attacking?
A large aggressive rooster may be able to fend off a lone juvenile raccoon, but adult raccoons will easily defeat a rooster. Roosters need the same protection as hens.
How can I keep raccoons away from my chickens?
The most effective approach involves exclusion – sealing off all possible entry points into coops and runs. Eliminate food attractants, install deterrents, and confine chickens when unattended.
The Bottom Line
Raccoons present a serious threat to backyard chicken flocks. Their intelligence, dexterity, and determination make them difficult predators to dissuade. However, with the proper fortification and deterrents, you can successfully protect your chickens and their eggs. Constant vigilance and exclusion are key. Don’t let these masked bandits massacre your flock!
Methods for Chicken Predator Identification
Most chickens are attacked at night, so we’re mainly going to go over night predators. However, if you are experiencing a day predator, most likely you are dealing with a hawk or some form of bird predator. The only way to really protect against those is a type of roofing on the run that your chickens are in, or some form of visual bird detterent (pie plates, shiney decorations that wiggle in the wind, etc).
Lessons we’ve learned to protect our chickens from predators:
- Never use chicken wire unless it’s for a run that chickens are not in overnight. Chickenwire is very useless at keeping chickens safe at night. Weasels can easily get through, raccoons can reach through, snakes can get through, and some predators can even chew through one of the wires to make a hole big enough. Instead, use hardware cloth (sometimes called “rabbit wire”) on all of your coop roosting areas for overnight protection.
- If you can, secure the edges of your coop with either concrete blocks or buried wire to prevent anything from digging under your coop walls
- Never stop being vigilant. The one day you get lazy may be the one day that raccoon decides to feast. It also helps to go over your coops every week or every other week to check for damage and potential access points
- Consider some companion animals for your flock. Geese and dogs are popular favorites for protecting a flock. They are protective animals and can deter pests from trying to get to your birds.