I have used a "dog proof" trap for many years. It's simply a metal tube with a spring loaded catch that tarps the raccoon buy the front paw as he reaches inside for the bait. I use raisins as a bait. The raccoon will be alive and you will have to " dispatch" him your self by what ever means you chose. Anchor the trap securely as the raccoon will pull on the trap. I purchased mine at a farm supply store for $20.00.

My neighbor (same one in the response) noticed that when he had a dog, the raccoons seemed to stay clear of the area. Unfortunately, the dog, being very old and sick, had to be put down. That was a few years ago. He's fencing in the area so that he could get another dog.

Does anyone else have any ideas on how to keep predators away?

Put a simple little electric fencer around your chickens and power it on at night. Do this for a week or two and you'll have completely cured your problem with 'coons - and 'possums and foxes and coyotes, etc. This is my only really effective and 'mostly' harmless way to handle predators. With a little electric fencer, you don't have to build concrete fortresses or go to herculean efforts with structures. 'Zap' 'em on the nose a time or two and the predators, who are after all opportunistic, will decide to seek greener pastures 'elsewhere.' Repeat lessons may be needed every six or eight weeks through the season....

Last year I trapped 24 raccoons from May until the end of July in a Hav-a-hart trap. I used marshmallows. They can't resist them.

I'm inclined to agree with both the electric fence and dog methods of keeping predators at bay. Traps can cause needless suffering, and killing all of them upsets the balance in your surrounding ecosystem. Joel Salatin's chicken tractor design has good, sturdy roofing to protect the birds in the pasture, as does John Suscovich's design.