Oh Shoot , racoon and now a skunk :-(

[carlf]

Be careful trapping the skunk, it will spray!

Maybe when it first gets caught, maybe when you try to move the cage, definitely if you shoot it. But sooner or later, once inside that cage, its gonna spray.

Skunks are more interested in the eggs, and bugs & grubs, than the chickens themselves. Since you caught a coon and possum, you might just want to leave the skunk alone.

Make sure to collect eggs every evening. Keep feed in a closed shed in a closed container.

But the best predator defense is a dog that is "chicken-conditioned". No coon, possum or skunk is coming into the back yard with a dog.
Our Lab thinks the chickens are part of the pack, she didn't even both my peeps when they got out when 2 weeks old. When my hens are out in the backyard, they drink out of her bowl and sit right next to her.

 

[Folly's place]

Skunks haven't always been harmless here, and we have trapped and shot a few with no spraying. Quiet movement, a tarp or something between you and the skunk, then over the trap, and move the wrapped trap out to a better spot, and shoot. Mary

 

[Rock Home Isle]

Empty trap again. Good or bad, not sure. Maybe the skunk was just passing through the other night

I'm still keeping the trap out at night.

Be patient. Skunks are not as predictable as raccoons. Skunks don't really travel the same exact routes every night, like a raccoon. Skunks stay in the same area, they randomly determine what, where, & when...

You're in the neighborhood, you'll get visited again.

 

[LisPrissy]

Be patient. Skunks are not as predictable as raccoons. Skunks don't really travel the same exact routes every night, like a raccoon. Skunks stay in the same area, they randomly determine what, where, & when...

You're in the neighborhood, you'll get visited again.

Ugh....well, if trapped, he will be disposed of. Trap empty again this morning.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

Good, best possible solution.

 

[spoikey]

Be careful trapping the skunk, it will spray!

Maybe when it first gets caught, maybe when you try to move the cage, definitely if you shoot it. But sooner or later, once inside that cage, its gonna spray.

Skunks are more interested in the eggs, and bugs & grubs, than the chickens themselves. Since you caught a coon and possum, you might just want to leave the skunk alone.

Make sure to collect eggs every evening. Keep feed in a closed shed in a closed container.

But the best predator defense is a dog that is "chicken-conditioned". No coon, possum or skunk is coming into the back yard with a dog.
Our Lab thinks the chickens are part of the pack, she didn't even both my peeps when they got out when 2 weeks old. When my hens are out in the backyard, they drink out of her bowl and sit right next to her.

I have trapped 2 skunks and neither one sprayed. Talk quietly to them and cover the trap then move while still talking quietly. They only spray when startled. The number one best bait I have found for coons, skunks and possums is sardines.

 

[spoikey]

My daughter is having a problem with a predator right now. It's taking a chicken almost every night. She can't catch the chickens to put in the coop. They are roosting so high she can't get to them or she just can't find them before dark. She thinks its a Badger. They would tear a live trap apart and is considering a foot hold trap. She is sitting out every night she can hoping to shoot it but it comes at various times.

 

[SuperChickRuth]

We have not had a critter problem yet but I keep two live traps around the coop at all times. I don't have them baited just waiting for some curious critters if they are around.

Tractor Supply usually sells a group pack of the live traps. That's where I got mine and fairly cheap. Oh yeah I have caught 7 squirrels but let them go. I don't think they go after chickens since my chickens chase them away lol

Yeah, our chickens chase squirrels that come into their run! We've had skunks on our property- and we know mostly because our dog chased one right towards us one day. (She got sprayed-we didn't.)
But they haven't seem to have gone after our chickens. Will they eat our chickens if they're free ranging?

 

[carlf]

My daughter is having a problem with a predator right now. It's taking a chicken almost every night. She can't catch the chickens to put in the coop. They are roosting so high she can't get to them or she just can't find them before dark. She thinks its a Badger. They would tear a live trap apart and is considering a foot hold trap. She is sitting out every night she can hoping to shoot it but it comes at various times.

I don't think a badger will climb a tree to get the chickens, they aren't arboreal. I vote owl, raccoon, or possum.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

My daughter is having a problem with a predator right now. It's taking a chicken almost every night. She can't catch the chickens to put in the coop. They are roosting so high she can't get to them or she just can't find them before dark. She thinks its a Badger. They would tear a live trap apart and is considering a foot hold trap. She is sitting out every night she can hoping to shoot it but it comes at various times.

You are right in that a badger will destroy a cage trap, but left out the word "cheap". Badgers will destroy cheap cage traps. This cage trap pictured above will hold a badger....this design has held several badgers.

If you are going to use foothold traps, I would recommend at least a number 2 coilspring. The coilspring is a much easier trap to bed properly, as compared to a longspring. Use two traps and set for front feet catch. When the badger works the set, you should catch one foot, then as the badger tries to escape you'll catch the other front foot. Do this and he should be there in the morning.

If you use only one trap and you catch the badger, by the next morning, you'll have a huge crater and most likely the badger will be gone. They'll just dig the stake right out of the ground.

If using footholds for badgers, always try to catch both front feet and he'll be there waiting.

Now based upon your description of the attacks, it is probably not a badger, more likely a raccoon.