Low-Cost Skunk Trap

LeafBlade12345 said:

I'm sorry if I offended anyone in any way. If I were a predator, which technically I am, I would much rather be taken somewhere else and still have a fighting chance instead of being killed. No matter how small the chance of survival, it is better than nothing, IMO.

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Isn't that selfish and irresponsible, when you boil it down?

By relocating are you not just passing off your known nuisance animal and it's problems onto someone else when you relocate it, that assumes it actually survives? And even if it doesn't survive the relocated animal has no idea where food, water and shelter are in the new area, so this alone could increase it's nuisance behaviors as it tries...

Also there is no shortage of historical studies and data to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that relocating animals can have devastating effects to the inhabitants of the area the animal has been relocated to as well... This is especially true of skunks and the potential for rabies...

And there is the fact that it's illegal in most areas to relocate...

Sorry but IMO the washing your hands with the feel good I gave it a fighting chance doesn't outweigh the negatives in my book...

I understand some people don't want to be the hand that kills, and if that is the case don't trap it, because chances are even if you relocate it you are sentencing it to death in the end...

Well, I don't have to deal with this problem in the first place, so I guess I'm not one to comment. I am not saying relocation is a good idea. I'm just saying I would not kill any predator attacking my chickens unless there was absolutely no other options, and believe me, there are always other options. I fully respect your opinions and it is quite true that relocating has many cons, but this is really not something I feel like I need to discuss. If I someday must trap, I will pursue the subject in more detail, but for now, I will acknowledge everybody's thoughts and opinions and continue on keeping my animals protected. I didn't mean to be selfish and was not saying it was a good choice to relocate, simply that I would prefer that method to killing. Everybody has their ways of dealing with predators and I don't really want to get into that right now. The OP also relocates and she/he makes that choice. Thank you for reading, have a good night.

LeafBlade12345 said:

Well, I don't have to deal with this problem in the first place, so I guess I'm not one to comment.

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Interesting ... Eight posts in this thread so far ...

This is just speculative on my part ... But guessing you live in California, as it's nickname is "The Golden State" ... And from another post you live in a development as you have a HOA ... Since it is illegal in CA to relocate a trapped animal ... It is good to think about ahead of time on how to deal with the problem, not when you are face to face with it ... Mountain lions are making trouble for people in CA, even in developments, they are very bold, and strong, and hungry ... so are wily coyotes ... Raccoons are very prevalent all over the state, and you actually even have stated that you have them staying in your yard!

I don't think it is a matter of if, but when ... For all chicken keepers.

Electricity is great ... Until it is off ... A power outage can and will happen, will you just be lucky the local predators don't test your setup at that time?

A fence charger has been known to fail before ... Some just wear out from long use, some fail due to quality control, some just fail from a surge in the power supply, or even a lightning strike!

Even the famous hardware cloth is not inpenatratable! https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1019186/reconsider-effectiveness-of-hardware-cloth

I recommend many layers of defense, and understand that nothing is perfect, and the least number of predators that are in the area, the least number that will try your protective measures, so the better chance of keeping you birds safe. Trapping helps with this.

I do have many layers of defense, and I'm sorry if I was out of place in posting. Like a said, I have not relocated as I understand it is illegal. My plan if a predator somehow gets to my animals is to improve my setup. I do live in CA and under the HOA, which is mainly in place for guns, knives, etc. I take full responsibility for my birds, and if somebody or something hurts them I take the blame and improve my setup. Sorry if anyone took offense, I was simply stating my point of view. And I meant I would not comment further on relocation since I do not practice it, not that I would stop posting on this thread. One again, I didn't mean any offense.

Glad to hear Leaf that you DO have many layers of defense, so many people come here lamenting that their chicken wire got torn through, or were free ranging ... And they had a loss to a predator.

Also glad to hear that you have NOT relocated any wildlife, it seemed like either you had, or were advocating it, thank you for clearing that up.

No, I wouldn't relocate after reading a lot on the subject. It always bugs me when people get upset saying that they free ranged their chickens and had them eaten by a predator. Seriously? What do you expect? Thankfully we haven't lost any birds to predators yet, trying to keep it that way...this trap is very helpful if I had to trap one day though!

.this trap is very helpful if I had to trap one day though!

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Yes, and not only cheap to build ... Compared to a comercial trap, but some people would not even need to go to the store to make one ... A garbage can, 55 gallon drum ... Oil the sides with a bit of veggie oil, and no chance on anyone climbing out!

No offense, Leaf! As I said, each person has their own way of dealing with predators. Today I had a Small Hawk flying around over my yard, and the Pekins were raising cain. The Hawk never tried dive-bombing, and flew away empty-taloned. I would never shoot a hawk, and my fowl being free-range are taking their chances. All I can do is give them a place to scoot to, and hope they have a fighting chance. While the hawk was about, my flock circled the wagons and stayed in close. Like I said, the Pekins patrolled the perimeter, and sounded off. The moment I came to lean on the fence, they saluted, broke ranks and went back to the water pool. Mr. Hawk flew away, and everything was cool again!

Good story! We have Ospreys, Eagles, all different kinds of Hawks, kestrels, and peregrine falcons here since we are close to a lake. They are always eyeing my animals, but usually keep their distance!