Help! There is a skunk in my coop now!

[webbysmeme]

I went out to close the door on my coop, there was a skunk drinking out of the water dish! My girls are up on their roost. I brought the old blind girl in. She's in the basement in my hospital coop for now. How can I get him out of the coop ? It smells awful in there. I feel so sorry for my girls. I left the door open, thinking maybe he will just leave? I threw a 4'x4' at him, that's when he sprayed.
There have been reports of coyotes in the area. I hate to leave it open, but, that's how he got in. My hens were out free ranging and I leave the door open until it's their bedtime. How can I get him out? Will he hurt my girls?

 

[Folly's place]

So sorry!
Skunks will eat eggs and kill roosting chickens so he needs to be gone. They also can have rabies, so be careful out there!
My understanding is that if he's already sprayed, the 'tank is on empty' so he can't do worse. Chase him out, or shoot him in the coop if it's safe. I wouldn't want him out there all night!
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

Vinegar helps kill the stench, after washing in Dawn or Murphy's, or something similar. There's a product called 'Skunk Off' that works very well too.
Mary

 

[webbysmeme]

Vinegar helps kill the stench, after washing in Dawn or Murphy's, or something similar. There's a product called 'Skunk Off' that works very well too.
Mary

Ok, thanks. I smell really bad! How can I get it out of there?

 

[FluffyFeathers97]

Used to have loads of skunks around back when I had my big flock. They never bothered a soul. They do stink pretty bad though.

 

[webbysmeme]

I installed a corner shelf for my old blind girl to roost on. He's under that! I can't get to him to pull him out, or hit him. The coop is too small to shoot him. It wound probly damage my girls hearing. What to do?

 

[Folly's place]

Can you safely get your chickens out, into a dog crate or something, and deal with the skubk in the morning?
Mary

 

[webbysmeme]

Used to have loads of skunks around back when I had my big flock. They never bothered a soul. They do stink pretty bad though.

If I knew he wouldn't hurt them, I'd lock him in for the night. What do you think?

 

[Folly's place]

How about having him come out by placing yummy food outside? Cat food or meat or fish?
Best to trap and shoot...
Mary

 

[CyndieRauls]

I went out to close the door on my coop, there was a skunk drinking out of the water dish! My girls are up on their roost. I brought the old blind girl in. She's in the basement in my hospital coop for now. How can I get him out of the coop ? It smells awful in there. I feel so sorry for my girls. I left the door open, thinking maybe he will just leave? I threw a 4'x4' at him, that's when he sprayed.
There have been reports of coyotes in the area. I hate to leave it open, but, that's how he got in. My hens were out free ranging and I leave the door open until it's their bedtime. How can I get him out? Will he hurt my girls?

once he's gone... for the smell:
Mix together:

• 1 quart of 3-percent hydrogen peroxide (available at any pharmacy)
• 1/4 cup baking soda
• 1 teaspoon liquid dishwashing soap

Also... though not in a coop... we’ve kept a skunk from returning under our porch by placing a very fragrant bar of soap underneath... apparently their sensitive noses find perfumed soaps repulsive?