Can skunks harm chickens

[zazouse]

They say you learn something every day. My local hardware guy ( he's my predator expert) told me mink or weasels were the ones that just ate the blood.
If your wire is large enough for a coon to get its fingers through, they can kill poultry. I don't understand why the birds wouldn't stay away from the sides, but they don't seem to. I'm not as nice as Citychicken, when I screwed up and put young birds in a pen that wasn't coon proof, I was really mad, both at the coon and at myself. But I fixed the problem, which was the pen, not the coon. A lot of people seem to have good luck using electric fence around their coops & runs, but I free range during the day and my geese are always free. I'm afraid I would kill one of them.

Coons usually work together, one coon will be on one side of the pen and scare the birds to the other side where another coon is waiting to grab it when it gets to close to the side.

 

[Citychicken12]

I smelled a skunk last night but nothing came in my yard or near the coop. It is almost September so I know many animals will start preparing for winter. I hope my dogs keep doing a good job of keeping other 4 legged creatures out of my yard.

 

[15shenyl]

Well, the hasn't come back. And the skunk got hit by car... I feel bad for it and it made the house smell really bad.

 

[ellend]

Skunks are omnivores. They'll eat what is easy to get. A secure coop that one can't dig under the fence will protect your chickens from harm. Hawk: Make yourself a P.I.A. to the hawk. Disturb/dismantle it's nest, hang around the tree making noise, etc.. The hawk will move on, since nesting pressure is upon it. Only an enclosure with a net or wire top will keep your chickens safe from hawks.

 

[louiselafrance]

YES! . Skunks will kill your chickens and eat the eggs. They like to get them when they roost. Get a Hav-a hart live trap sized for raccoon and bait it with cat food. When you catch the skunk cover the cage with a towel, and remove it to a better ( for you anyway) location far away, or humanely dispatch it.

As for the hawk... hes a good guy but does plan to dine on your chickens.Thread fishing line back and forth over your chicken yard area.attach a few old CDs to it shiny side up. They will blow and flash in the wind. Hawks wont fly under anything they think they cant get out of. Provide plenty of cover for your chickens when they free range.

Also put out crackers and bread to attract crows. Crows will drive out the hawk, and warn your birds when Hawks are in the area. Your birds will learn quickly when they hear the crow screech to dive for cover!

 

[19disbre]

I don't like hawks. And, I'd like to kill the ones going after my chickens. But, it is a FEDERAL offense to even "harass" a stinking hawk!

I promise, if she has a nest in your tree, she will be feeding chicken dinners to her offspring.

It must be too wet down here for skunks. We don't have them. But, if you do a search here for "skunks", you will read of many folks that have had skunks killing their chickens. Some folks here have had very good success using DP (dog-proof) traps to catch them. A gun works even better.

it only illegal if you get caught. if you welcome it with a party and some fireworks on his doorstep he might decide that your the weird neighbor and move away if not he will get it the 2nd time if not he will get birdshot for sure

 

[Bantamboys]

Silly people, we like our chickens yes, but skunks as well as Hawks need to survive.

 

[19disbre]

I don't like hawks. And, I'd like to kill the ones going after my chickens. But, it is a FEDERAL offense to even "harass" a stinking hawk!

I promise, if she has a nest in your tree, she will be feeding chicken dinners to her offspring.

It must be too wet down here for skunks. We don't have them. But, if you do a search here for "skunks", you will read of many folks that have had skunks killing their chickens. Some folks here have had very good success using DP (dog-proof) traps to catch them. A gun works even better.

SSS emphasizing the 3rd S

 

[nickel chick]

My dog and the neighbors dogs have been spray so many times enough is enough and My house smells to high heaven now at 1030 pm. Last year they dug under our boxwoods and had babies killing the bushes. I am afraid to go out and check on my chicks. tomorrows a new day if you want eggs I'll give you eggs with a special ingredient. Bye Bye shunks

 

[nickel chick]

Crows will kill hawks babies and great horned owl babies Crows hate any kind of predator bird even blue jays they are smart and can talk to one another. My told me about a study they did with crows on a college campus with a mask. Look it up and read it. It is a really good read and also very enlighting I think a lot of you will like it. seeing as you like birds already.