On 18/01/2013 9:22 AM, jmcquown wrote:
>
> I can't keep a bird feeder around here. Raccoons have destroyed every
> single one I've tried to put up. Configuration (baffles, wire cages,
> etc.) doesn't seem to matter. They just take 'em down. Raccoons are
> very smart *and* they have opposable thumbs.
>
> I had a very pretty terra cotta feeder. It hung from three chains
> joined by a ring at the top. I had it hanging from a shepherd's hook.
> They knocked it down and stole the chains! What raccoons would want
> with chains, I don't know. Picture little biker raccoons wearing
> leather jackets toting chains in their pockets I tried a cheap
> plastic feeder which was smashed within 24 hours. Then a wooden feeder.
> No luck there, either. They even stole the suet feeder!! One evening
> I heard a noise and turned on the patio lights. I found FIVE raccoons
> right outside the glass door, looking at me like "What, the restaurant
> isn't open?" LOL



I used to hang a bird feeder in our back yard. I didn't have a problem
with other animals because our cats used to keep the squirrel population
down. It was nice to be able to look out the kitchen and dining room
windows and see a variety of birds at the feeder. However, I got tired
of them crapping all over the patio furniture and the laundry on the
line. I don't use the bird feeder anymore. Instead, I have planted a
number of flowers around the yard that will provide enough seed to feed
some of them over the winter.