Get rid of raccoon, and being pet friendly? (chicken, wildlife, wild)

[petsandgardens]

Originally Posted by Fat Freddy

Our coons are really picky.

A couple of times we ran out or couldn't get their regular brand so I got one that had different colored kibbles.
They picked out all the red ones and threw them all over the porch.

Yesterday I fried up some fish. I put some skins and other pieces in their dish.
They dragged it out and just ate the kibble.
I threw it out in the yard and somebody ate it.

I also put out a bowl of left over egg batter.
At first they didn't like it. Probably because of the spices.
Then the babies got in the bowl and made a mess.
So I put it out in the yard and the next morning it was licked clean.

They really like it when we put grapes or cherries in their dish.
They don't throw those out.

Whenever I find an egg with a hole or crack, I give it to the coons.
They eat everything, including the shells.

They are good for food recycling. I've been concentrating on other wildlife...numerous types of birds, squirrels, chipmunks in the heat wave this summer; and deer usually in the winter but also this summer. Water and different types of food.

Recently, we finished our watermelon and I thought why not cut the rind that still had some of the red on it and some seeds, cut it in smaller pieces and put them out for whatever animal. Birds liked that during the day. Then at night when I turned on the lights to take a look there was a large dark form a few yards away. I thought it was a bear. Not a problem. I kept looking and it rumbled along and then split up just a little...it was four large raccoons moving as one enjoying bathing and eating.

[writerwife]

Another thought and I suppose this depends on where you live but.. since I was moving I was giving the raccoons a last hurrah for a few weeks and throwing extra food out for them. A pack of coyotes showed up (I caught them on vid..daytime) and were tramping through my yard and woodline (attracted by the food I tossed out). And later there was screaming coming from the woods. I think they got a couple of the raccoons. There should have been 8 or 9 of them... now there are 4.

[tamiznluv]

Originally Posted by writerwife

Another thought and I suppose this depends on where you live but.. since I was moving I was giving the raccoons a last hurrah for a few weeks and throwing extra food out for them. A pack of coyotes showed up (I caught them on vid..daytime) and were tramping through my yard and woodline (attracted by the food I tossed out). And later there was screaming coming from the woods. I think they got a couple of the raccoons. There should have been 8 or 9 of them... now there are 4.

Awww, that stinks. We think of that too and I think we have lost a few too. We have bears, Bob cats, Florida Jaguars/Panthers floating in and out of the yard mostly at night. Sometimes an occasional big cat will wander through during the daylight hours. Fortunately the gators stay put in the canal.

[writerwife]

Originally Posted by tamiznluv

Awww, that stinks. We think of that too and I think we have lost a few too. We have bears, Bob cats, Florida Jaguars/Panthers floating in and out of the yard mostly at night. Sometimes an occasional big cat will wander through during the daylight hours. Fortunately the gators stay put in the canal.

Yeah.. I reckon I'd be more careful with those predators coming around. Although, we're starting to see a lot of bear around these parts lately. Only had a bobcat once.
Do you or have you thought about putting an outdoor cam out?

[tamiznluv]

Originally Posted by writerwife

Yeah.. I reckon I'd be more careful with those predators coming around. Although, we're starting to see a lot of bear around these parts lately. Only had a bobcat once.
Do you or have you thought about putting an outdoor cam out?

No, we don't worry for ourselves. They wouldn't break into the lanai except if they were starving.....any of the wild critters.

[writerwife]

Originally Posted by tamiznluv

No, we don't worry for ourselves. They wouldn't break into the lanai except if they were starving.....any of the wild critters.

I was thinking about the cam just for the fun of it. What you might see.

[tamiznluv]

Originally Posted by writerwife

I was thinking about the cam just for the fun of it. What you might see.

Lol, I am so used to people being fearful, that I misunderstood you! Yeah, that would be fun but my landlord won't permit it.

[tamiznluv]

Update on Rocky Raccoon. She had a litter of pups(?) kits(?) a few months ago. We know because she has enormous nipples hanging down now. She comes every day, 2 or 3 times a day and now literally eats out of my hand. She is so gentle and even leaves her right paw in my hand sometimes when she is chewing. Lol, I think she is left-pawed.

Last evening the 3 adults of the house were out on the lanai talking about Rocky. I was talking about how I was surprised she hasn't brought the babies up to show the her humans! Rocky was there eating her supper.

Lo and behold, what comes up from the canal this morning??? Rocky, Mr. Rocky and 5 babies!! They did not come over to the lanai, just went up a tree for a few minutes and then went back home. A few minutes later Rocky came back up for her breakfast and I fed her.

What a joy it was to see the babies! They weren't small either! Rocky seems fatter to me. Maybe she is pregnant again and it is time for the kids to leave home. IDK. I fail to look up anything about raccoons and their habits.

I'm hoping as time goes by, Rocky will start to bring her kids up to me.

[ClaraC]

I love raccoons, they're so smart and clever, but DO NOT TOUCH THEM!! And don't allow them to touch you.

They carry bacteria that other mammals don't carry - like, squirrels and deer - and wildlife rehabbers have to be vaccinated before they rehab raccoons.

[TroutDude]

Originally Posted by tamiznluv

Update on Rocky Raccoon. She had a litter of pups(?) kits(?) a few months ago. We know because she has enormous nipples hanging down now. She comes every day, 2 or 3 times a day and now literally eats out of my hand. She is so gentle and even leaves her right paw in my hand sometimes when she is chewing. Lol, I think she is left-pawed.

Last evening the 3 adults of the house were out on the lanai talking about Rocky. I was talking about how I was surprised she hasn't brought the babies up to show the her humans! Rocky was there eating her supper.

Lo and behold, what comes up from the canal this morning??? Rocky, Mr. Rocky and 5 babies!! They did not come over to the lanai, just went up a tree for a few minutes and then went back home. A few minutes later Rocky came back up for her breakfast and I fed her.

What a joy it was to see the babies! They weren't small either! Rocky seems fatter to me. Maybe she is pregnant again and it is time for the kids to leave home. IDK. I fail to look up anything about raccoons and their habits.

I'm hoping as time goes by, Rocky will start to bring her kids up to me.

My sister has raised orphaned raccoons and returned them to the wild for nearly 30 years. A few have returned from time to time to visit her and one in particular has brought several litters over the years, thought the babies tend to stay in the background while Mama coon does some mooching from familiar hands.