Racoon feeder problem?

[41Dude]

For a couple of reasons our sometimes inside cat is now an outside always cat.
We have set up some nice warm cat homes for cooler weather.
The problem was feeding him. We are sometimes away for a couple of days at a time.
Purchased an automatic feeder with USB plug with battery backup, but had to armor it against racoon bandits.
I took some odds and ends with a food grade bucket. Found out the food grade is much thicker than what they sell at the box stores. It has been several months now with racoons (so far) not able to tear into it.
It is not pretty but it works.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

We have a ton of feral cats.....mainly because folks insist on feeding them. They don't seem to realize cats are predators and are fully capable of feeding themselves. I still have a couple I'm trying to "eliminate". Take out one and two fill it's place. They wreck havoc on the bird feeders......ton's of chipmunks and mice around but no they like bird meat the most.....

 

[41Dude]

We have a ton of feral cats.....mainly because folks insist on feeding them. They don't seem to realize cats are predators and are fully capable of feeding themselves. I still have a couple I'm trying to "eliminate". Take out one and two fill it's place. They wreck havoc on the bird feeders......ton's of chipmunks and mice around but no they like bird meat the most.....

Our cat used to be indoors mostly. Then he decided he did not feel the need to go outside to relieve himself. Would not use the cat box ever. Told my wife that is enough. Outside now.
I have thought about eliminating him but do not have the heart. I am a wus.

 

[contender]

True feral cats are hunters. But they also hunt to eat & do not kill for pleasure.

Bird feeders are natural magnets for ALL wildlife. From the lowly insects who lay eggs in the ground around the fertile ground under & near a feeder,,, all the way up to bears & such.
And the animals that do not eat bird seed or seed waste,, will eat the critters that come to feed on the seed.
Snakes, canines & felines all feed on the critters at a bird feeder.
By putting out a bird feeder,, you attract EVERYTHING. Trying to be selective on animal species is a waste of time. And when in close proximity to a house,, many of the seed eaters will move into the house. Rats, mice, squirrels, all enjoy free food AND a nice warm dry space to build nests.
And I've made a pretty good living fixing the critter problems CAUSED by bird feeders.

It's not just cats that feed on the birds & all. Heck,, a black snake can & will climb up almost anything to reach a bird nest,, to eat eggs or babies.

To assist in reducing the raccoon issues & a feeder,, the easiest thing is to get a single pedestal table,, about 3 ft high. put the feeder on that. Place the table away from ANY climbable object. Coons can climb and even jump pretty good. The cats have a different jumping mechanism, and can jump up on the table,, yet if properly placed (and secured,) a table can prevent coons from climbing up. BUT,, I recommend a table top of at least 4 ft wide all around,, with a metal pedestal to prevent them from climbing up & using the lip/edge of the table to pull themselves up & over the edge.