Skunk attack

[Chickassan]

Glad he's gone and you're ok!
That wasn't normal behaveior at all!
Skunks can't see for beans only hear and smell even in broad daylight they shouldnt be like yours was.
My condlences on your losses.

 

[chickenenthusiasts5698]

I looked this up when you mentioned it had sprayed earlier in the day...
...learned out it can take 10 days to replenish their 'spray stock'.

I was thankful enough to learn that a couple months ago when 2 of my outside cats got sprayed.

 

[Folly's place]

I don't know about your state lab, but the time we had a critter test rabies positive here in Michigan (it was a raccoon) the state public health folks called us directly, immediately, no waiting around for a fax or other message! Fortunately I haven't had a positive since, so faxes or letters have been good enough for negative results.
Mary

 

[Howard E]

To the OP, normally......skunks don't kill a bunch of adult birds. Normally. What was the condition of the dead birds? Eaten or dead? How were they killed? When were they killed?

I would not discount the chance that something else did the killing and you found this skunk lurking around, scavenging in the aftermath. Same with the possum. I'd be on the lookout for something else......weasels and mink come to mind.

Also, if you have that many birds and want something more handy than a hoe to take on predators in mortal combat.......Christmas is coming. Ask Santa for a .410 shotgun and box of #4 shot to match.

 

[aart]

To the OP, normally......skunks don't kill a bunch of adult birds. Normally. What was the condition of the dead birds? Eaten or dead? How were they killed? When were they killed?

I would not discount the chance that something else did the killing and you found this skunk lurking around, scavenging in the aftermath. Same with the possum. I'd be on the lookout for something else......weasels and mink come to mind.

Also, if you have that many birds and want something more handy than a hoe to take on predators in mortal combat.......Christmas is coming. Ask Santa for a .410 shotgun and box of #4 shot to match.

OP actually saw the skunk attack the birds.

 

[cmom]

I went out to feed my chickens to find 8 dead from a skunk( he didn’t even touch the eggs) Ive never have experience predator attacks before. I feel so much guilt I wish I would have gone out sooner he tried to spray me but couldn’t because he’d already sprayed in the early morning. He won’t be a problem anymore and he wasn’t even bothered that’s I was in there’s he just kept killing. The rest of my flock seem to be okay no obvious injuries.

I did.. I killed it with a hoe and when I let up on him he just simply walked over and started attacking my barred rock. I just at a loss of words it’s so hard to hard to think about.

To the OP, normally......skunks don't kill a bunch of adult birds. Normally. What was the condition of the dead birds? Eaten or dead? How were they killed? When were they killed?

I would not discount the chance that something else did the killing and you found this skunk lurking around, scavenging in the aftermath. Same with the possum. I'd be on the lookout for something else......weasels and mink come to mind.

Also, if you have that many birds and want something more handy than a hoe to take on predators in mortal combat.......Christmas is coming. Ask Santa for a .410 shotgun and box of #4 shot to match.

Because of the circumstances, I think there was something seriously wrong with the skunk. I love my .410 with #4 shot.

 

[Folly's place]

The only issue with the shotgun, is the brain damage you don't want to inflict on a critter who needs to be tested for rabies!
Waiting for results, and so very glad the OP thought to ask for advice.
Mary

 

[chickenenthusiasts5698]

The skunk came back rabid. Three more shots for me...yay....

 

[chickenenthusiasts5698]

The skunk came back rabid. Three more shots for me...yay....

I’m dreading it lol I hate needles I know it’s more important than getting rabies but i’m stressed.

 

[chickenenthusiasts5698]

I just realized it’s Friday the 13th lol of course it is.