Contact Me

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Raccoon Patrol

Where I left off:

"Okay, I went out and checked. They are such good hens and went back to their pen. There was so little light in the sky, but I could see they were standing instead of sitting as they usually do this time of night. They did not have their heads tucked for sleep! I looked where they were looking."

RACCOON!

As I pushed the door to, I saw it. The raccoon was holding onto the chain link on the side and top. One foot/hand was advancing onto their ladder as it held to the ladder in the pen. I think within 2 minutes, one of my hens, at least, would be dead. I screamed inside. Aloud, I was sputtering and gasping for breath, trying to calm myself and be brave and bold. The hens now were sounding the alarm very loudly.

I have a rock, about three pounds, that I use to keep the door from closing during the daytime. I just have to nudge it for closing the door or blocking the door open in the morning. Now, understand, I had the door within three inches of being closed for the night. My hens would have been trapped with a killer.

I flung the door open, snatched up the rock, the nearest missile, in both hands and with a mighty overhand throw tried to hit the raccoon which had climbed up the chain link. He had one front hand on the ladder, making his way to them. I hit the chain link about three feet off the ground. Dumb throw. I ran, AND I CANNOT RUN!, back to a pipe that had been put in the seat of my metal swing.

I was terrified. The hens were sounding an alarm and I felt like I was running at least sixty-feet both ways in slow motion. My head was pounding. I felt faint. My lungs felt seared. I was not able to get air in or cough.

Then, I RAN back and to the back of the pen where the raccoon still clung. I could not lift the pipe, so had to try harder. Then, I could not find a hole in the chain link...lol. I just kept slamming the pipe into chain link. He did start to leave. Finally, I got the pipe in and made contact as he moved away and out, not enough to hurt him. But, he ran back to the fence and over. it was a mighty and epic moment for the girls and I.

I could have done more damage if I had gone into the pen for better aim, but then I would have been between the raccoon and the door of the pen. I have no desire to make contact with an angry raccoon. It was not very large, not like the 25- and 30-lb raccoons I usually catch. Still, it could be rabid. I just do not like being hurt. Animal Control officer commented before that I catch the biggest coons he has ever seen.

Now, the trap and pipe are on the picnic table, and I am waiting for Tony to come and help me. I am really afraid of the raccoon. Remember that when the babies were in my house, the raccoon was trying to get into the open back door with me and three policemen in here.

Tony is not home. I drove around and looked. I am going to bed, secure in the fact the hens are safe. Okay, almost secure. Update and pictures tomorrow.  I am not going out in the dark because I don't want to fall over limbs or pinecones. Plus, it is cold and windy. So, keep your fingers crossed for safe hens.

Anyone want a raccoon to eat?

10 comments:

  1. Keeping my fingers crossed that the raccoon will realize it isn't worth it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am up to worry a bit. I could not sleep for the congestion. I am going to get a padlock since raccoons can open locks. I will just put the key close by so I or exbf will not have to continually deal with having left the key inside.

      Delete
  2. might get a pellet gun..couple shots in his butt and he might think twice before coming back again..There is a coon that comes arounhd here to eat the cat food I put out and he and Dexter sort of play...well Dexter plays the coon sort of dances away from him..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have a pellet gun but don't ever use it. Jackiesue, you are assuming I can aim...lol. and hit it. Dexter is smart. I want this raccoon dead because they make the rounds to find food.

      Delete
  3. I agree-that raccoon has to be eliminated. Once they know where the food is, they aren't going to stop until they get it. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They have killed my hens before, so I know my hens are in danger.

      Delete
  4. Rats and Slaters are easier to deal with so I wont be swapping any of my pests for yours. Raccoons sound nasty, hope you get this one too. It can't be much fun dealing with these things when you are so unwell. Take care.

    Barb.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Barb,
      Raccoons are nasty and vicious even though they have a face that I once thought was cute. It is horrendous even thinking about the raccoons with the way I feel. And, my temp is rising!

      Delete
  5. Most feed stores carry small fence charges, the insulators and the wire. Stringing the wire on clip on insulators at the top of the fence will give the raccoon an incentive to never return. Installation is easy and an extension cord will power the transformer.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Jess,
    The top is secure with fabric, welded and 1/2 inch. This raccoon got in through the open door. Some days, I leave the door open and close it before dark, just like I did last night. Other nights, I put them in early by giving them food and closing the door an hour before dark.

    I will check into the fence chargers. The raccoon can climb a tree and get on the top and might succeed in ripping off the hardware cloth. I have 4 feet of hog/dog wire under the fence, half in half out. Any raccoon that tries to dig will be met with resistance. They are not smart enough to realize that they need to back up two feet and then dig for four feet to get into the pen. By the way, my hens' pen is a 10'x10'x6' dog pen with a top of hardware cloth.

    Thanks for the information.

    ReplyDelete

Okay, hoping the annoyances have gone away.