Feeling Bad

[Matthewwilliams94]

I just went outback to my chicken coop to do a nightly check in my flock and there was a skunk in the coop posing a threat to my flock and I had to exterminate the skunk this will be my first time I've ever had to do somthing like this, why do I feel so bad for protecting my chickens I know I had to exterminate the skunk or he would of came back or killed all my chickens but I fell so bad for shooting the skunk its killing me inside thinking about the skunk and he was just acting from instinct but I had to protect my hens and roosters has anyone felt like this after doing somthing like this to protect there flock?

 

[nuthatched]

Its just a skunk and he wouldn't have given your hens a quick or clean death

How'd he get in the coop?

 

[Matthewwilliams94]

I dont have a clue this is first time in 5 years I've had somthing get in the coop I've checked every end of my coop and I dont see how he could of got in but im going out in morning to put more chicken wore up in places I think he entered but I have no clue but all the chickens are good but one didnt make it and all the eggs were broke

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Sorry for your loss. Is your coop completely enclosed and was the door shut and latched? Did you have to go back to the house for your gun? If it's the first time you've ever killed anything it's understandable you'd feel bad for taking a life, but you did what you had to do to protect your flock. Did it set off its scent bomb?

 

[BoundlessLove]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens!
I’m sorry about your one loss, but glad you saved the rest of the chickens.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
We all do our best to protect our flocks but that doesn't mean we enjoy killing an animal just because it's trying to survive.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Is the coop made of wood or just chicken wire? Because a skunk or raccoon can tear through chicken wire like it's paper. You need wood, metal or hardware cloth to keep varmints out.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens. This is a great place to explore and hang out. I have had to kill predators over the years never feels good.

 

[Matthewwilliams94]

Sorry for your loss. Is your coop completely enclosed and was the door shut and latched? Did you have to go back to the house for your gun? If it's the first time you've ever killed anything it's understandable you'd feel bad for taking a life, but you did what you had to do to protect your flock. Did it set off its scent bomb?

Thanks so much for being so kind

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
We all do our best to protect our flocks but that doesn't mean we enjoy killing an animal just because it's trying to survive.

I understand completely and trust me didnt enjoy doing it or I wouldn't of made this post to ask others how they felt and for support from others over feeling so bad for doing it but had to or my whole flock would be dead

 

[Matthewwilliams94]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens. This is a great place to explore and hang out. I have had to kill predators over the years never feels good.

Thanks for your sopport it doesn't feel good at all but it had to be done for the safety of my flock first time this has ever happened in the 5 years I've had chickens