Skunk attack

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

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

So sorry that it was rabid, but so glad that you know and are able to be treated!

 

[chickenenthusiasts5698]

So sorry you had to go through this! Skunks have very poor eyesight, I've walked up to them before and they walked toward me, curious. It is strange that you had one take part if your flock, I totally agree with testing! How did it get in? I may have missed that part of the thread. Possum and raccoon are more of a threat here and will take advantage of any unsecured part of my run to try and get into the coop at night.

I have tons of possums and they have never gotten in (i have one in a live trap as I type this) but I think he got in through my door there’s a slight gap.None of my wire was disturbed.

 

[chickenenthusiasts5698]

So sorry that it was rabid, but so glad that you know and are able to be treated!

Thank you!

 

[sciencegrrrrl]

I have tons of possums and they have never gotten in (i have one in a live trap as I type this) but I think he got in through my door there’s a slight gap.None of my wire was disturbed.

Our raccoons are larger and stronger, they've had more luck getting in. Most are 30+ pounds, which I didn't even know was possible until we moved here!

 

[TwistedSteel]

I got bit by a bat and had to get the shots 30 something years ago. I very clearly remember the shots. I carry a 22 caliber single action revolver for dealing with predators now a days. With good hollow points it`s a lot less messy and easier to carry than a shotgun.

 

[MaesGlam]

We had a very similar situation here except the skunk was picking them of one by one. My husband ended up shooting the skunk in the chicken house then we burned it on a brush pile. I have owned chickens most of my life and have never had trouble with a skunk before - hawks, owls and weasels yes, but not skunks.

 

[fawnda]

If your pen has an opening large enough for a skunk to enter, something else will eventually too, just a matter of time. 1/2" hardware cloth at least a few feet up if not entirely covering the run. I follow these guidelines.....

 

[NaperLix]

Chicken in India bit by stray dog.chicken died 1 month later.tested positive for rabies.can be looked up on Internet.some others as well.
Rare,but not impossible.

 

[Vicker]

Predators . . . . . It's so hard to find the right balance between protection and good quality of life for the flock. A hawk got one of my Buffs inside their fencing the other day. I have a large raised platform that they can hide under but this one didn't make it. It's always the most friendly, docile sweeties that get picked off, too, because they don't have as strong of a flight reaction. After each loss, I kick myself and think for a short time that I'm just going to give it all up.

 

[gtaus]

After each loss, I kick myself and think for a short time that I'm just going to give it all up.

I don't know how big your run is, but I use a 14x14 bird netting on top of my fencing. That bird netting cost me about $7.00 at our local farm store. Amazon has a bigger choice (and more sizes) and it's not all that expensive. But, I have suffered no hawk or eagle attacks the first year. Before you give it all up, maybe check out some lost cost protection alternatives.

I sometimes wish I could free range my birds out in my 3 acres. But we have hawks and Bald Eagles overhead almost every day (I live on a lake). People around here that free range their birds are called former chicken owners. So I keep my girls in a chicken run with bird netting on top. So far, no attacks.