Skunk! Attacked ducks!!!!

[newchickmom]

We just had a skunk get our 2 ducks. 1 is dead (pekin) and the other (magpie) is badly injured. It's my own fault, I let them free-range all the time.

My husband tried to shoot the skunk while It was trying to carry off the dead duck, but he missed all three shots and skunk decided then it was time to leave.
I collected the dead one because my daughter will probably want to bury it.

The other one I put in the crate they usually sleep in. I figured if he makes it till it gets light out, I may be able to save him. If he is pretty bad, we will have to put him down somehow. I know he is in shock right now and not used to being handled, so I wanted to give him time to calm down before I mess with him a lot to check him out good.

Don't know what else I can do right now!

Advice?

 

[adoptedbyachicken]

Well sorry for your loss. Continue to try and shoot the skunk, or might be better to get a trap as that can sit there 24/7 while hubbys tend to wear thin. Baiting the trap with tuna often makes it way too tempting.

Often your local critter control will lend you a trap or they are a good investment if you have poultry around anyway, if there are skunks in your area this will not be your last.

 

[Scrambled Egg]

soooo, sorry!! I really did not know that skunks would kill ducks and chickens. geez....so sorry...

 

[DDRanch]

I am so sorry for your loss.
Anne

 

[Buckas]

Newchickmom, what happend to your duck? Last night one of my runner ducks was attacked by a skunk. She's totally in shock and covered in blood. It looks like she has a puncture wound on the back of her head and who knows where else. What did you do for your duck when it calmed down? I was going to take her to the doctor but thought that may cause more stress and I am concerned about rabies? Any thoughts?

 

[animals1981]

wow never heard of that I had skunk dig its way in the chicken pen but it didnt touch the adult chickens it wanted eggs

 

[scooter147]

Wow you don't hear of skunks attacking adult birds very often. I first suspected it was rabid but if it ran off not as likely.

 

[Buckas]

wow never heard of that I had skunk dig its way in the chicken pen but it didnt touch the adult chickens it wanted eggs

Thats just it the skunk was after her egg (she only had one left) after an unsuccessful hatch and my girl was very protective of it.