first encounter

[Marion565]

Today around noon I went outside to see if my one laying chicken had already finished the job and left her "little present" for me.
Well as I was walking up to the coop a skunk

was walking towards the coop as well.
I don't think I have moved that quick since I was 16

As I sent my son to get the shotgun I kept an eye on the critter. I guess I must have scared the little guy as much as he scared me and he ran off back out of the yard.
My question is should I be concerned about skunks as predators? I have seen a lot of posts about coons and opossums but I have not seen one about skunks.

On a lighter note, when I went to get my lone little egg I got a suprise, it seems that two of my other hens finally decided to start laying. Three eggs today

 

[ParadiseFoundFarm]

Congratulations! I'm still waiting for my eggs.
As for your question about skunks ---YES!
See BYC thread:
Poultry Predator Identification by ml

Lots of good info on that one - about covers it all except for pictures - those are not available but the text gives good descriptions

 

[chicmom]

Hi and congrats of the eggs! Here in Ohio, skunks usually don't come out during the day....they're very nocturnal, which worries me in your case, because it could be rabid......Be very careful!

 

[Marion565]

Quote:
Thanks for the info I will make sure that I read that thread.
Good luck with your eggs!! I hope you won't have to wait much longer.

 

[theFox]

Quote:
+1

Given the chance skunks kill chickens.

 

[Marion565]

Quote:
I was worried about that too, that is why I wanted the shotgun. I hate to say it but next time he shows up it just might be his last time.

 

[Lensters]

We have coons, skunks, bobcats and feral pets here and the skunks give me the worst problem because they are good diggers. Skunks will usually leave full grown chickens alone but they love to eat eggs. Your hens may have been laying for a while but the skunk gets to the eggs first. Like any animal they can be "trained". It may have associated the hen's egg song with lunch time so that she gets in & out with the egg without before either it or the egg was noticed.

 

[ParadiseFoundFarm]

Wow! Lenster!
Good to know!