Trouble with raccoons?

This may seem to be a strange question, but has anyone had any problems with raccoons bothering their Nigerian Dwarfs?

A few nights ago, when I went out to put my chickens to bed (count them and latch their house door), there were only 12 in there which meant two were not. The next day, I counted 13 and each night since. Yesterday, I found the carcass of the missing hen. Though it has been many years since it has happened, I have previously had a serious raccoon problem and lost eight hens to raccoons - or more likely one nasty male raccoon - over a period of three years. Unfortunately, even though I live in town, animal control will do nothing about this and because of wildlife laws I am not allowed to do anything either!

The significant thing about this particular night was that my doe and wether were on the path to the chicken yard, two-thirds of the way back, long after dark. This is the first time they have been out of their pen at night though I don't close their gate. After finding two hens were not in the house, I was wondering if the two things were related, possibly an invader. Occasionally, a hen or two may get out of their yard and not be able to get to the house because the gate is shut but they waiting for me to let them in the next morning; this is the first one killed in several years.

The next two nights, both Dixie and Dexter were out there again and now tonight they are also; perhaps they heard a ruckus and went to check it out. Because I've seen the raccoon that killed my hens, very large. His body size/weight could have been at least 2/3 of the body of my little goats which, given whatever happened the other night, causes me to wonder if he (or another) is back and poses a danger to my little goats. Though it is unlikely to be the same raccoon, it is certainly possible another has "moved in."

Any experience with raccoons? Could my little guys be in danger?

Glenna

Your vet should be able to tell you about the rabies status in your area because the state keeps track of it. You could even try googling "rabies in ____" (your state). We have very few cases of rabies in Illinois. Most years it's five or six cases in the entire state, and they've been bats for as long as I can remember, although a bull did test positive for rabies this year. That was the first domestic animal to test positive for six years. Bats are so tiny, you would never even know that it bit one of your animals. Last year there was a bat case in the county next to ours, but that's about as close as it's come. This varies a lot from place to place though. My brother-in-law in upstate New York last year had a couple of rabid foxes running around his neighborhood attacking dogs.

Replies

Deborah Niemann-Boehle November 8, 2011 at 11:34am

Your vet should be able to tell you about the rabies status in your area because the state keeps track of it. You could even try googling "rabies in ____" (your state). We have very few cases of rabies in Illinois. Most years it's five or six cases in the entire state, and they've been bats for as long as I can remember, although a bull did test positive for rabies this year. That was the first domestic animal to test positive for six years. Bats are so tiny, you would never even know that it bit one of your animals. Last year there was a bat case in the county next to ours, but that's about as close as it's come. This varies a lot from place to place though. My brother-in-law in upstate New York last year had a couple of rabid foxes running around his neighborhood attacking dogs.
Jackie K November 8, 2011 at 10:17am

I would worry about the possibility of rabies, though. Rabid 'coons will do unusual things.
Deborah Niemann-Boehle November 7, 2011 at 10:08am

I don't *think* they'll hurt goats, but I never say never. We have lost our fair share of chickens to raccoons, but they seem to stay away from the goats. Coyotes are our main problem with sheep and goats.

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