Can skunks harm chickens

[MsBagawkbagawk]

Yep, my pit bull/lab is a great protector. He was gone when we had the skunk attack, but never anything of the sort since. Hawks are a big problem for me (100% free range, but they have a coop and run, unlike some guy I know who didn't build a coop and couldn't figure out where his chickens went, sorry rambling now...) but they usually hang out around our house or in the orchard. So we've only lost one to a hawk, but they still make me run out waving my arms and yelling. (Shhh, don't tell the govt. but I have thrown rocks at a few and I never saw them again)

 

[Citychicken12]

I will yell at them too. I'm not going to kill a hawk but I would definitely try to protect my girls if I have to. A little screaming and waving never hurt anyone. I have an American pit bull terrier too. Great dogs

 

[MsBagawkbagawk]

Yeah, the rock incident was after they broke my cochin''s neck. Lots of anger there. I would probably kill a hawk if it wasn't illegal, but like I said, I've got a LOT of anger against them.... But, if they would just leave my chickies alone, I really wouldn't mind, like turkey buzzards, don't mind if they scare the chooks cuz they don't bother em. But I'm rambling again... I think it's time for bed lol.

 

[Citychicken12]

I'm going to bed too. Hopefully we both have minimum trouble with hawks

 

[MsBagawkbagawk]

Yep, I've actually started watching them and one only comes out the second Tues. Of every month at 10 am. So weird, but he always does. So I guess my chickens are more like 99.9% free ranged lol. Anyways, . that the hawks stay away from your girls, just don't be afraid to run around your yard like a crazy person yelling at it. .

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

We had a rash of skunks recently. Kids running around our yard when it wasn't even dark yet. Then we were finding scratch marks on the doors of the coops not enclosed in secure runs. Hate to kill anything, but that was it. Got our federal trapper out to set traps then come back and euthanize them. He used peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and caught them one after another. i know there is still at least one skunk out there somewhere, but they are no longer bothering our coops.

i would be really worried about that hawk building a nest. Having hungry parents flying chicken pens every day sound like a recipe for disaster. You will want to make your pen super secure with hardware cloth or solid roofing. i know it is illegal to fuss with hawks, but would that include using a super shooter water pistol on them.

 

[15shenyl]

I saw a lot of birds chasing it away! let's hope they chased it off for good. I will also see if my neighbor has traps to get the skunk away from here.
We also have two dogs and a cat. The dogs could care less and the cat is scaird of them, three less animals I have to worry about attacking my chickens.

 

[Citychicken12]

http://birding.about.com/b/2011/04/05/hawk-nest-okay-to-move.htm

 

[15shenyl]

I read the article, let's hope all those birds will keep it away. The nest isn't too big yet. I haven't seen crows, morning doves, finches, starlings, and other birds work together like that before, chasing the hawk away. It was a cool sighting. Also the hawk wasn't all that big.

 

[Citychicken12]

I would just call officials to remove the nest and mother bird and relocate them to a place where they can live unharmed.