K folks. Here is what I have found. I waited till dusk and watched through the open barn door. Out came two nice sized rats for a drink. Then I kicked the neoprene bucket near the spigot and two more went a running. Currently they are getting a rather LARGE drink as I am flooding their underground home. I have done this in tha past and it literally takes all night of a steady stream of water.
Now for the interesting part.
I decided to go ahead and flood the other side (there are two concrete floors) in the barn and dang if a moma skunk came out with her babies.
I had to kill the babies and I am hoping that I also manamged to shoot the mom. There was some nice skunk odor.
SOOOOOOOO.......
I am guessing that the moma skunk has been feisting on eggs for some time, but a whole dang bucket, in the middle of the day ?
Fortunately I have not lost any birds to this critter. But now i am determined to rid my barn of rats and skunks. Holly Molly, rats on one side and a litter of kits (baby skunks) on the other.
What next, a family of coons, a gathering of possums or a bunch of tohers predators ?
I have three grown female cats and i still have rats. So no more feedings at the back door for a few days.
Geez, it sure looks like spring on the farm.
You may be right. I have seen them carry off some pretty big walnuts !!
