Are skunks considered predator?

[chickenfanatic]

i lost alottta birds to those smelly striped creatures they are predators in my book for sure and that one heck of a cage hahaha

 

[Mini Coop]

Skunks are definate egg eaters. They are nocturnal, and they can't climb, so roasting chickens are safe from them, but they will kill anything on the ground. They are omnivores.

If you have skunks, you should not feed your chickens table scraps in the evening because this will attract skunks. Do not feed cats or dogs where there will be uneaten food within reach of them.

You can buy an animal trap, preferably an skunk trap. A skunk trap is enclosed on all sides but the front, which allows you to pick up the trap without getting spayed. Then remove the skunk to where you want to. I take them to the tailgate of my car and wrap a kitchen garbage bag around the front of the trap and the tailpipe, turn on the car, and they fall asleep and die peacefully in short order.

Don't forget, if you release them in the woods they will not have the abundence of food they find around human habitation and will either go hungry or return to bother people.

 

[bayareapilot]

Just to add this, since I've seen this in a number of posts - ANY warm-blooded mammal, including humans, can carry rabies, not just skunks.

Love my Critters! :

YES!!!!!
Remove it! They will definately kill your chickens. I have only lost 1 chicken to a predator and it was to a skunk! Plus they can cary rabies and other diseases.​

 

[GammaPoppyLilyFlutter]

THere was a skunk near my coop once. It wasn't trying to steal the eggs, since my pullets haven't started laying yet. I still think it was after the chicks, though. Luckily, the dog scared it away