OMG!!!! A Skunk!!!

[MoodyChicken]

I had a skunk a few years ago that lived in my chicken coop. I hated that thing! Thankfully it never touched the chickens, it only ate the eggs, but it was just a matter of time. I ended up declaring war on it. Shot it over and over with the paintball gun until it was completely blue. lol. He didn't come back for a looong time. But he did eventually, and I had the pleasure of getting sprayed. But after several other close calls, I learned that if you soak them with the hose, they aren't likely to spray. Now he's gone... thus far.

 

[briana1975]

Quote:
the tomato juice doesn't work so good. I used a baking soda and peroxide mix on the dog that worked a little better. But the best was a neighbor who's vet told her to use a vinegar and water dush. Just wet down the fur with it and let it dry. It actually worked the best. I just mix water and vinegar together and it worked too.

 

[eggchel]

We have been battling skunks this year and for a while we were trapping at least one a week plus the odd raccoon or possum. We keep the havahart trap set all the time (baited with eggs) but havent caught anything lately except 2 curious Polish chickens and 1 silly bantam duck.

 

[briteday]

We've had skunk problems off and on. If they are nesting under a porch or building, get them out by sticking a garden hose down the hole and turning on the water full blast. The skunks will come out of the hole and usually wander away for a while to dry off. This is your chance to close up the nest.

We usually throw several boxes of moth balls into the hole first. Then my husband mixes up bags of concrete to fill the holes with. After the holes are filled, find a role of any kind of woven wire (chicken wire, whatever) and lay it flat on the ground for about 2 feet all around the shed or where ever the holes are. Throw 6 inches or so of dirt on top of the wire so it stays put. If the skunks start to go back to the old place they will not like digging through wire.

If the skunks come back we have used the havahart traps (attach a LONG rope to the handle, this will become clear shortly), and once they are in the trap we throw a tarp we don't care about losing over the trap, use a pitch fork or something to grab the handle with, and transport to your nearest pond, 55 gallon drum or large garbage can filled with water. Submerge the trap, put the lid on the garbage can or drum if you are not using the pond. The submerged trap can pop open and if the little stinkers swim to the top you'll get sprayed. But we put the lid on with a cement brick just in case. If you have a pond nearby, just heave the trap into the water, let it sink, and drag it back out in 30 minutes or so. You must be sure to have the rope attached before trapping for this method to be viable...unless you have an unlimited supply of traps.

Most of all, you want to make places around your home and property unwelcome to skunks. They do not like to nest in wet places. They do not like moth balls, especially if the moth balls have been around for a while before they come upon them. The coyotes and hawks around here keep the skunk populations down. But then I have to worry about them with my chickens as well.

If you or a dog gets sprayed the best solution to wash with is :

1 pint hydrogen peroxide
1/4 - 1/3 cup baking soda
1 tablespoon of grease cutting dish detergent (Dawn)

I keep the supplies, a large plastic soft drink cup (think Big Gulp size), and a couple of old beach towels in a crate in the laundry room. If the dogs get sprayed I go to the bathroom and mix up the concoction in the drinking glass. Then I wrap the dog in a towel before bringing them in. Soap them up with Dawn first, to break down some of the phenols contained in the skunk spray. Then apply the mixture, rubbing it in good...down to the skin, avoid the eyes. Leave it on for about 5-10 minutes. Then wash again with Dawn. You will most likely need to repeat the bathing 2-3 times in the next few days, especially if you have a thick or long-haired dog.

Do not make the mixture and store it. The container will burst from the combination of chemicals that when mixed, cause it to give off a gas and expand. Just keep everything where you can easily find it so that you can mix it quick as needed.