Help Skunks killing our chickens

[petem1999]

Skunks, Racoons, Opossums, Coyotes and the neighbors dogs are all predators who will kill your chickens. In the 8 years we have been raising chickens we have lost chickens to all of these creatures. the worst of the lot have been the neighbors dogs (39 the first time they broke into a run and 51 the second time). We have shot and killed around 30 skunks, 10 racoons, 6 opossums and 4 dogs (the dogs were caught in the chickens run while in the act). My neighbor who is still mad over this whole thing, blames us for having chickens that were in a fenced in yard and another fenced in run where their dogs broke into to get at the chickens...... Of course them not keep their dogs locked up (because you know that's what dogs do) had nothing to do with it. Of course on their property the dog is a pet, on mine it is a predator.

Skunks, Racoons and Opossums will climb a fence with out a problem, they can squeeze through a very small hole. Racoons are very smart and can figure out how to open the door to your coop. On the good side we have not seen or smelt a skunk in the last six months.

 

[NicTheTic]

Well, in any case, I will be having a LONG night of vigil over the chicken area with my trusty .22 close by. I'm not even going to try and trap whatever it is, just kill it outright The thing is, of all the skunks that killed chickens, nothing as strange as this as happened. I'm talking about the lacerations to the head, without killing it. Maybe it tried to hunt them and stuck with the one that it could, which was bigger than the rest. In any case, I don't think it's a skunk. But if I catch it tonight, whatever it is. I'll post tomorrow what the beast is, with a photo. Time to close the chicks up. Reaching sundown. Till tomorrow

 

[Betsy57]

I got a opossum last night in my chicken yard. Been kinda quiet lately around here so figured I was due for some predators. Didn't get to harm any of my chickens (have 22 ten day old chicks thankfully he didn't get into the coop!)

 

[birdworld]

I just red your article. I use a poison works great they are dead within feet and do not stink very often. poison goes out at night and is sealed in containers during the day. You CANNOT!!! let any domestic animals loose during the time it is out!!!!! They will eat it and it would not be good. It is a commercial fly bait with just a little coca-cola. I have killed 11 in the past two weeks with this. One more was shot ( If you break their back they cannot spray when they die. If they stink a mix of baking soda, dawn dish soap, and peroxide will take care of it pretty well. Now any one have a clue on how to get rid of a woodchuck? Do not bee fooled they do and will kill chickens only they learn your schedule and kill during the day. Thanks birdworld.

 

[birdworld]

I am working on wiping out the skunks. Poison!!! works great and they are dead within fee of feeding and no stink!!!! I scoop them up and replace them far away. pick up the containers of poison in the morning and seal it up again until the nest night. In two weeks I have killed 11 skunks this way ans another was shot. Broke it's back no stink that way. For the stink if it happens ( lat year 8 shot in a live trap it really stunk) use a mixture of peroxide, dawn dish soap, and baking soda. I spray it on the place the skunk sprayed using a hose end fertilizer sprayer. Good luck everyone!!

 

[birdworld]

This summer I have killed over 30 skunks one mink four weasels. I use a poison from the co-op for the skunks. ( They die and don't smell as bad as when you shoot them) others I use chicken liver on a trap. If you would like more info on the poison let me know.

 

[bensteph821]

We caught a skunk in the a t tonight. Killed one chicken about 6-8 weeks old and was after more until I got to it! We fit under our gate(a very small hole). Seen him leave that way when I scared it. Gotta get my coop predator proof!

 

[birdworld]

The best way to get rid of skunks is to poison them. It is a granular fly bait. You can get it at fleet or a grain store. BE ADVISED. Keep all your pets in lock up when this is out. I mix one tablespoon poison to two tablespoons coca cola. put it in a small container a tight lid will fit on. Put it out at dusk and pick it up in the morning.They will eat it and die within feet of eating it. Most will not stink. I killed over thirty in one months time this way. It is a nerve agent so they just go to sleep. Golden Malrin is the name of it. Just remember anything that finds a stinky thing good to eat will eat it.
It was nothing to get up in the morning last summer and find three to four dead skunks laying around. (loved that sight) good luck.

 

[holly96]

Hello, I recently had skunk show up and was not aware they would kill my chickens. Is there any solution to keep them out of the pen. I already have an 8 foot fence and an enclosed chicken coupe. Any suggestions will be appreciated.