Do Raccoons Eat Chickens? (And How to Protect Chickens From Raccoon Attack)

People rear chickens mostly for what they can get from the chicken, especially the farmers who rear them for money. These chickens usually attract other animals, most of which are wild animals. And unfortunately, some of these wild animals are their mortal enemies that prefer them in their stomachs than in the coop.

Among these chickens’ mortal enemies that visit the chickens in the coop are the raccoons. So, when a farmer finds his chicken eaten or killed, one of the visitors to suspect is a raccoon.

Do Raccoons Eat Chickens Alive? 

Humans are not the only ones that find chickens good to eat, raccoons have also placed chicken on their menu. Making every farmer that lives in places where raccoons are found to be weary of these little mammals. 

Raccoons kill and eat chicken whenever they get the chance to do so. Sometimes, you find them digging around chicken coops, to gain access to the chickens. Some other times, you can find raccoons working in groups, one frightens the chicken to a corner and the other one grabs the chicken head. 

The raccoon pulls off the head from the rest of the body since the rest of the body cannot pass through the openings in the coop net. The raccoon ends up eating the head and leaving the rest of the body of the chicken inside the coop to die.

Why Do Raccoons Kill Chickens And Not Eat Them?

Lots of farmers have observed the mass killing of their flocks without the killer eating them up. But could that be the handiwork of these innocent-looking mammals? Raccoons are no doubt one of the laziest hunters among wild animals, but they never hesitate to claim all-mighty when they encounter a weaker animal.

Raccoons cannot finish a full-grown chicken, but that does not stop them from killing these big chickens. They kill the chickens as if the killing of chickens is a fun activity for them. And after killing lots of them, they eat only the parts that appeal most to them.

Do Raccoons Kill Rooster?

A rooster may look big and all masculine but their masculinity only shows when they fight for food or an opportunity to mate. Roosters cannot defeat raccoons because raccoons are very crafty. They love to attack at night when the rooster is asleep. 

In this way, the rooster will not be able to put up even a little resistance. And neither will they make a loud noise to attract the farmer. So, the raccoon attacks the head of the rooster and kill it. 

Do Raccoons Eat Chicken Eggs?

Raccoons love protein foods like eggs, and chicken eggs are among the type of eggs they can get easily. They sneak up to layer eggs and steal as much as they can consume. If it’s a mother raccoon, it can take more, for its babies.  

Raccoons can even chew off chicken wires just to reach the eggs. There have also been cases of raccoons sneaking into stores and human homes to steal eggs.  

Do Raccoons Eat Chickens During the Day?

Raccoons are mostly active during the night time, but that does not mean that they do not forage during the day. Raccoons can be found foraging during the day, and if your chicken gets its attention, it’s sure going to try to get it.

A mother raccoon also moves around during the day, looking for food for its babies, and chicken is a sumptuous one. 

Lots of farmers have had to fend off raccoons during the day. With some farmers succeeding while others saw the raccoons after they have devoured their chickens’ heads. The chicken coop has to be secured at all times because despite being nocturnal, these omnivores can get hungry at any time and go out in search of food. 

Signs of Raccoon Killing Chickens 

There are lots of other predators that can attack your chicken. And sometimes, their modes of operation look so similar that you may not be able to tell which predator is behind the attack. But if you take a closer look at the trail left behind by the predator, you will be able to tell if it’s the raccoon’s handiwork in the following ways;

When the predator keeps attacking at night, it could be a night predator like a fuzzy raccoon. Because raccoons usually move out to prey on chickens at night. Sometimes attacking in a group, to wreak maximum havoc at a go. 

Another characteristic of a raccoon attack on a chicken coop is the presence of messy trails. You will likely find feathers and blood all over the coop, even on the grasses around. Especially on the spot where they settled to devour the chicken.

Raccoons can be desperate when hungry. And if they cannot get into the coop, they may end up dragging any part of the chicken they can lay their hands on. They will keep dragging the chickens till they rip off that part of the chicken, so when you find your chicken dead with the head ripped off, a fuzzy raccoon is a prime suspect.

Raccoons are also very wasteful. Because they cannot finish a full chicken and they find lots of chicken in your coop. They will end up killing lots of your flock, eating only little parts of their bodies like head, breast, and internal organs, leaving the rest of the body behind.

You may also find their scats scattered all over the place. Raccoons are not just messy in the way they scatter feathers and blood while feasting on a flock. They also poo in the process, and if you can identify their poo, then you have identified your culprit. 

They also leave their paw prints behind, which look like the handprint of a human child. Their five fingers are unmistakable with those of other animals.

Do Raccoons Eat Baby Chicken?

Chicks pose no challenge for raccoons as they can finish a full chick at once. And raccoons can pool a chick through wire mesh with ease, the whole chick would pass through. The flesh and bones of a chick are very soft, making it a perfect meal for raccoons. 

How to Protect Chickens From Raccoon Attack

We understand that we have to try our best not to hurt the raccoons in the process of getting rid of them. Even though they have shown no mercy to our chickens or our income. This is why we are going to share with you the humane ways of getting rid of the raccoon eating your chicken.

1. First, ensure that you do not keep these little fuzzy mammals as pets. How do you plan to fight a raccoon that you willingly feed and shelter on your farm? When you have a chicken to protect, you do not keep raccoons as pets and you will also advise your neighbors against it.

2. Ensure that you secure your chicken scoop properly. Raccoons are skilled in opening locks, chewing off the chicken wire, and digging through to your chickens. Use concrete slab to stop raccoons from digging around your scoop, and use strong wire mesh, and good locks to secure the doors. 

3. Remove any food source that will attract them, and this includes trash. Pick up the eggs as soon as you can, because the eggs will only end up attracting the raccoons. Protect the chicken feeds from omnivores like raccoons, or they will keep coming back for more feed and chicken. 

4. Chicks should not be let out in the open even during the day as raccoons can also be found foraging during the day too. Besides, drawing raccoons’ attention to your chick will ensure that they keep coming back.

5. Lastly, you can use raccoon-repelling scents to get rid of raccoons eating your chicken. When you surround your chicken coop with these scents, raccoons will avoid it. Examples of such scents are raccoon eviction fluid, hot pepper, vinegar, etc. 

FAQ

Do Raccoons Eat Chicken Heads?

Yes, raccoons eat chicken heads. The skull of a chicken is usually easy for raccoons to crack and get to the brain. Raccoons love the internal organs of a chicken, including the brain. So, they just pull out the head and devour the brain, alongside the skull bones. 

Do raccoons eat Chicken Bones?

Yes, raccoons eat chicken bones because they are not very strong. Chicken bones pose no threat to raccoons as they can crush them with their strong teeth. This is why you often find raccoons feasting on the chicken head, despite how bony the chicken head is.   

Conclusion 

We understand if you want to feed and protect these cute mammals, but for people like us that have incurred loss at the hands of raccoons. We believe that raccoons should be kept away from chickens. Even if you don’t have chickens, you will be doing your neighbors with chickens huge favors by keeping raccoons away from the environment.