Skunk Under Coop

[Aunt Angus]

Hi.

Got me a lil skunk living under my coop. I know I need to block off the area under my coop. The issue is how. The coop isn't raised, per se, but it's on a slight slope, so the front side is elevated and the back side is actually partially buried (I would not have installed it this way, but it was here when we bought the property). Before I moved the chickens in, I did add hardware cloth around the elevated side, thinking it wouldn't be totally necessary for the buried side.

Obviously, I was wrong.

Now, putting hardware cloth around the back means digging out the half of the coop that is underground. Before I go doing that in this ridiculous heat, I have a couple of questions.

1) Do you think it would be enough to put large pavers around the perimeter of the shed?

2) How do I do this without potentially trapping the skunk under the coop?

3) Are there any effective deterrents to keep critters away until I can get the work done? I've read moth balls, ammonia soaked rags. Anything like that effective?

I use electric netting, so the skunk must've moved in before we moved the netting to enlarge the chicken yard.

 

[sourland]

Hi.

Got me a lil skunk living under my coop.

2) How do I do this without potentially trapping the skunk under the coop?

You could always live/box trap it. Of course that leads to the dispatching or release of the critter. Been there, done both, recommend the first option.

Create a wire funnel - large end at coop where skunk enters/exits - smaller end pointing outward and elevated. Skunk can exit but is unlikely to figure out how to enter through the elevated 'funnel'.

 

[kcult]

Do you have a pointy stick and someone that can record with their phone?

 

[Aunt Angus]

Do you have a pointy stick and someone that can record with their phone?

I'll record and see if hubby is game.

 

[TOR]

Sounds like a stinky affair

 

[mowin]

Sounds like a stinky affair

Lol, yep, that stinks.

 

[Folly's place]

Skunks like chicken, and eggs, too.
Fence it out, or shoot it. They are cute, but not this close.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Skunks like chicken, and eggs, too.
Fence it out, or shoot it. They are cute, but not this close.

Working on it. Gotta get it out from under there first. Nothing in the trap today.