Things You Wish You Would Have Known?

potato chip said:

What do skunks actually smell like? Is it a pooey smell, or???

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It's hard to describe the smell of a skunk. As JennyF says, up close it's eye watering. We ended up having to trap them. Once my husband got a young one that was still able to get his tail up. It sprayed him in the eye. I wouldn't let him in the house. I gave him the jug of vinegar and made him shower in the shop. His jacket and clothing had to be washed in vinegar too. Our son was sprayed on his clothing. Our dogs used to get sprayed regularly. It's interesting to read how different noses smell a mild version of it differently.

BradnerGirl said:

It sprayed him in the eye

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ooh, that can be nasty, I think. I looked up skunk smell after I'd asked on here, and it said that the "stuff" can affect vision, and can irritate the skin. He's lucky it didn't mess up his eye. I wonder if they do tours for visitors where you can get to smell skunk LOL

I wish I knew that you are not supposed to get in the brooder from the top!
[/quote] how would you set up brooder

islandgirl82 said:

They probably do smell always but not like that or as strong.  I don't know anyone who would dare to get close enough to one to really find out. 

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Not sure if they always carry the smell but when we had them visiting for cat food regularly I always knew they had been there. The skunk smell was very faint but it was an obvious tip I forgot to bring in the cat food.

Very young skunks are quicker to spray that the older ones. Baby skunks are more of a musty smell than really stinky. There has been a critter around my place that has a strong odor. Not a skunk so I'm not sure what it could be. Whatever it is, I'll bet it likes chicken!

jeannem said:

I wish I knew that you are not supposed to get in the brooder from the top!

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how would you set up brooder[/QUOTE]
Hello Jeannem,

I used a lawn mower box for my brooder and every time I went to clean, my 6 babies would freak out thinking I would attack them. Later, I read that if you make accessible from the side on a table level they wouldn't go crazy.
Then I put the brooder on a working bench and cut a side access. It was easier for me to clean and they didn't jump as mcuh, only loud chirps But they were almost ready to go outside

jeannem said:

I wish I knew that you are not supposed to get in the brooder from the top!

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how would you set up brooder[/QUOTE]

gfvirga said:

Hello Jeannem,

I used a lawn mower box for my brooder and every time I went to clean, my 6 babies would freak out thinking I would attack them. Later, I read that if you make accessible from the side on a table level they wouldn't go crazy.
Then I put the brooder on a working bench and cut a side access. It was easier for me to clean and they didn't jump as mcuh, only loud chirps But they were almost ready to go outside

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I was told that picking the birds up from directly overhead is a bit like a hawk attack. Especially if you do it suddenly, with no warning. My chicks are in translucent rubbermaid type bins, and I am usually talking to them as I come up to the brooder. Heck, I'm usually talking to them, period!

BTW, I a rectangle in the cover leaving a 3 " border and then zip tie hardware cloth to the top. Just for use inside the house - not as a predtor proofing!

It works really well, to contain them, and when I need to move them.

potato chip said:

What do skunks actually smell like? Is it a pooey smell, or???

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It is a very sharp, pungent smell something like decomposing flesh, is the best way I can think of to describe it. If you can imagine the smell of something dead and then add the stinging irritation of hot peppers. It is a very cloying, persistent smell and once you smell it, you'll never mistake it for anything else. It isn't just the smell that repels you. If you're close enough to get sprayed, your eyes and throat burn and it stings your sinuses when you breath. (Ask me how I know that.) The smell also doesn't wash off with soap and water. (Ask me how I know that, too.)

The skunk itself doesn't smell, but when they spray, some of the liquid lingers on the hairs on their butts (they spray from an anal gland) and so it carries the smell for a long time. I knew a lady that had one as a pet. It was de-scented (had the gland removed), and it was very much like a cat in terms of behavior.

jeannem said:

I wish I knew that you are not supposed to get in the brooder from the top!

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how would you set up brooder[/QUOTE]
I use an indoor rabbit/guinea pig cage with a towel wrapped around 3 sides as they have a deep base and a door in the front. Protecting them from drafts is the most important thing. Once they are a bit older they are fine in something you reach in from the top as they know you and see you as a food source.

AllynTal said:

If you can imagine the smell of something dead and then add the stinging irritation of hot peppers.

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It sounds horrible. It would certainly have the desired effect of getting people to leave the animal alone. I'm thousands of miles away in a different country and I'm determined not to get one upset. LOL
Quote: ah, that makes sense. I suppose there'd be residue on the gland itself as well. If it's that stinky, it wouldn't take much to smell bad. My cat had an impacted anal gland once and the smell from the secretions was disproportionate to the size of the cat. It's amazing how you can get such an effect from so little "product".

As for skunks being pet-like like cats if they are tamed and de-glanded, I keep thinking of Pepe Le Pew and that poor cat he kept trying to hug and kiss in the cartoons. LOL