Skunk in my coop!

[Vocjuved]

Hi!

Last night I went into my coop after dark to collect the eggs, feed, water, etc. I shined the flashlight to find some eggs and a skunk was inside grabbing eggs. I kept the light on the skunk and it walked away. I locked the doors, and collected eggs. I looked under the coop a bit later, but can't see everywhere, but couldn't see where the skunk went to. The run has wire around the base, and is secure, but we open the run and have a larger area they can forage in which isn't secure, but is fenced. I locked the coop for the night and went inside. This morning, I opened the coop and closed the run. My question, I never determined where the skunk went to. I assume he went out of the run, but am not sure. Assuming he left, will he leave if I keep the run closed for awhile? If I penned him in with the chickens, will they all be dead this afternoon after work?

Tonight, I will bring my pellet gun out for some hunting!

 

[Ridgerunner]

I had that happen with a possum once. If you leave the run gate or door open anything can walk in. I killed that possum but skunks can present their own challenges.

I've locked chickens in the run for an extended period, about a month, and it has discouraged certain critters (a fox) from deciding that is a free meal. But once you open it back up you never know what will show up or when. While I wish you luck on the hunt and even suggest you set a trap, killing a skunk will not solve the problem longterm. How do you know you got the right one? Several times I've trapped skunks, possum, or raccoons on consecutive nights. Often a possum one night and a raccoon the next, sometimes for several consecutive nights. That means several are in the area. Getting rid of one does not mean you solved your problem. But it does mean you got rid of one that was hunting your area and is worth doing.

Will you find a bunch dead tonight? I doubt it. Skunks generally prefer eggs to meat, but they will kill and eat chickens. But during the day the chickens should be able to avoid the skunk. Nighttime when they are on the roost is when they are most vulnerable. Still. you never know with predators. It is possible. You do not get guarantees with this stuff.

 

[Vocjuved]

Thanks, Ridgerunner.

We had a problem with coons and lost some when the coon dug up into the locked coop several years ago. In response, we built a secure coop and run. The new run is adjacent to our garden, so I fenced in a middle section for them, and will eventually allow the chickens to root in the garden. I am aware of the danger of chickens being "semi free range", but absent big $ to make the entire area "leak proof" we will take our chances. I will keep the chickens in their run, and place them in their coop at night. I have a plan to trap this skunk or shoot it if it is in their run, otherwise, I will place a trap in their run and in the next section until I bag the skunk.