skunks anyone?

[chicknmania]

We had skunks. The first year, mama raised her babies in our barn, never touched a chicken, and, we did NOT have a problem with mice or rats....at all. She never bothered us, our dogs, or our chickens, and we left her alone, too. The second year either she or, more likely, one of her grown babies, returned to the barn to make a den. This time they did eat chickens...we actually caught them at it. We got rid of them by barricading them out of the barn in the late evening when they were all out hunting; found their access tunnel and boarded it up. They couldn't get back in and eventually left. You can also trap them,but, I say, if they're leaving your chickens alone, let them alone. They are better than any cat ever, as I said, in controlling mice and rats. Not every skunk carries rabies and chances are you would probably hear about it if there was a rabies epidemic in your area. I mean, I wouldn't go try to pet one, but I think sometimes just keeping your distance is the best thing. The dog is another story...believe me, you don't need to sniff closely...our dog has been sprayed in the past, but, it was not the end of the world. The best thing we found to use is skunk shampoo and anti-scent products, supplied by our vet.

 

[chickenannie]

I thought skunks were vegetarians! (except for egg-eating). Do they eat meat? (chicken?)

 

[flip9109]

put up a fence. Facts about skunks. They can not climb or jump they are bottom heavy and can not even climb stairs. They have very poor vision 4ft at most. they are amazing diggers. they are not stealth like in any way. yes they eat meat but mostly small rodents they can't catch things very easily their diet is really whatever they can find. they are armed at 6weeks of age. they can spray up to 12ft. and will most likely run long before you see them. dogs however have a natural abillity to find animals. skunks pose very little reall threat other than loosing eggs. if girls use a roost the should be safe from skunkies. all wild animals have the same chance of carrying rabies.

 

[Chirpy]

I've actually seen pet skunks run up the stair case like it wasn't even there. So I wouldn't trust the not being able to climb stairs part.

 

[mangled]

I would have to also disagree with the "can't climb stairs" bit. We have a deck with a 8' height, and the steps are on that side. The other side has no steps, and a height of 5'. The dog dish is on that deck. We have a skunk up on that deck 2-3 times a month.

No other way to get up there than to climb the steps. It's a huge bugger, too.

Em

 

[flip9109]

everything you ever wanted to about the little critter in my avitar. hope the link works.

http://www.skunkhaven.net/SkunkIntro.htm

 

[ebaribault]

Hello All,
Although skunks are very cute,we did have one come into our house last year.My wife left the porch door open while she was hanging laundry.
The skunk climbed up 3 steps and hung out in our mud room for a while,when she found no food went off on her merry way(with out spraying)

Best wishes,
Ed

 

[PawPrints]

We have recently lost one rooster and three hens to something. Not sure what now. Thought a weasel at first, but just today someone else told me opossum will kill chickens in the same way a weasel will. We purchased a live trap for a weasel, but so far he gets the bait, but the door doesnt' close behind him. Starting to think maybe it's something bigger who can't get into the cage.

Only kills one chicken per night, taking off head, sometimes eating into the body, but always leaving the body in the coop or run.

Down to one hen now, been keeping her on the back porch at night until we catch whatever it is.

I'm a professional dog groomer of 25 years and I have tried several skunk odor remover concoctions, both purchased and homemade, and the only thing I find truly effeciive on skunk odor is Coat Handler's Odor Handler. Works in one application. Used it on one of my dogs the same morning she was sprayed. Because you can't totally saturate the face with it, I noticed the faces still sometimes have a faint odor to them.

 

[chicknmania]

Skunks are omnivores. In our case they didn't run after and catch the chickens, they were coming up behind the hen when she was laying, and killing her then, when she was on the nest. For them to kill a fully grown standard sized chicken is the exception rather than the rule. They will catch, kill and eat chicks.

 

[Miltonchix]

Quote:
Skunks can definitely climb. Had a neighbor when I was a kid who was taking her trash out the the burn barrel late at night. She heard a rustling sound in the can and ASSUMING it was a cat went "PSSSSSSSST" to scare it off. Instead she got a PSSSSSSSSSST in the face from the skunk that had climbed in to forage.