The kits are subsequently raised by their mother until dispersal in late fall. After a gestation period of about 65 days, two to five young known as "kits" are born in spring. Home range sizes vary anywhere from 3 hectares (7.4 acres) for females in cities, to 5,000 hectares (12,000 acres) for males in prairies. Related females often share a common area, while unrelated males live together in groups of up to four raccoons in order to maintain their positions against foreign males during the mating season and against other potential invaders. Though previously thought to be generally solitary, there is now evidence that raccoons engage in gender-specific social behavior. This implies that this species cannot be imported, bred, transported, commercialized, or intentionally released into the environment in the whole of the European Union. In Europe, the raccoon is included since 2016 in the list of Invasive Alien Species of Union concern (the Union list). As a result of escapes and deliberate introductions in the mid-20th century, raccoons are now also distributed across much of mainland Europe, the Caucasus, and Japan. The original habitats of the raccoon are deciduous and mixed forests, but due to their adaptability, they have extended their range to mountainous areas, coastal marshes, and urban areas, where some homeowners consider them to be pests. It is usually nocturnal and omnivorous, eating about 40% invertebrates, 33% plants, and 27% vertebrates. The raccoon is noted for its intelligence, as studies show that it is able to remember the solution to tasks for at least three years. Three of the raccoon's most distinctive features are its extremely dexterous front paws, its facial mask, and its ringed tail, which are themes in the mythologies of the indigenous peoples of the Americas relating to the animal. Its grayish coat mostly consists of dense underfur, which insulates it against cold weather. It is the largest of the procyonid family, having a body length of 40 to 70 cm (16 to 28 in), and a body weight of 5 to 26 kg (11 to 57 lb). The raccoon ( / r ə ˈ k uː n/ or US: / r æ ˈ k uː n/ ( listen), Procyon lotor), sometimes called the common raccoon to distinguish it from other species, is a mammal native to North America.
Raccoons, you can set up live traps to catch them and relocate them.Native range in red, introduced range in blue Raccoons for a while, but they will become accustomed to the lights and Discourage your chickens from roosting near the edgesįoot of the run walls are easy game for raccoons. It only takes one night of raccoons getting to your chickens for you toĪ roosting area that is completely secure and out of reach of grabbing raccoon They aren’t much for digging, but they willĮnter the coop through any holes that they can fit through. Tight with latches that are difficult to open or have multiple stepsĪnd will scale a coop easily and climb over if there is not a sturdy roof. Work simple latches with their hands, so make sure that your coop is locked up
RACCOON PREDATORS HOW TO
How to Identify Chicken Predators: Weasels Preventing How to Identify Chicken Predators: Birds of Prey See more posts on how to identify chicken predators: Once they make a quick meal of your chickens, they will return again and again if they can. Raccoons live in family groups and multiple raccoons can attack your coop at a time.
Most attacks on your chickens that happen at night are due to raccoons. Roosting chickens won’t try to get away and you may not hear any sounds of your chickens being attacked.
Raccoons are nocturnal and will attack your chickens at night, when they are most vulnerable. They can get to the breast meat, they will eat it and then move on to the next They will pull off any piece they can reach, heads, wings, legs, and Settle for reaching through fencing and pulling your chickens through theĪttack, you’ll notice blood and feathers everywhere with pieces of chickens If they cannot get into your coop, they will IdentifyingĬomplete mess when they’ve attacked your chickens.
RACCOON PREDATORS SERIES
Here’s the first in our 4-part series of how to identify chicken predators: raccoons. Raccoons are deadly, smart and determined. One of the most notorious chicken predators is the raccoon. Unfortunately, there are many animals out there that would love to make an easy meal of your flock.