Skunks - should I be worried?

[2DogsFarm]

Apparently 2 Dogs Farm has a resident skunk family this Summer.

I've surprised two wee skunks in the barn - flipped on the lights and they went waddling out they way they got in: through the attached indoor arena.
No harm done, although barncat must have suprised them a few nights later as they left {ahem} a faint "calling card".

I've seen Mama (or Papa?) digging for grubs in my yard & that's fine with me.
And a couple times I've seen little ones hurrying to get out of my way when I come back from a late night visit to the barn.

But this morning as I came back from feeding horses, I saw a larger skunk ambling around VERY close to where my little flock was free-ranging.
I shooed it away and made sure the girls returned to the coop - they hadn't seemd at all concerned that Mr or Ms Smellypants was so up close & nearly personal!

At first I thought "Rabies!" but it was still not full light out so perhaps skunk was on its way home and stopped to check out the source of future takeout?

I thought skunks were nocturnal, so should I be worried that this adult one was still out at daybreak & making itself comfy so near my teenage hens?

Note to Self: get that henyard fencing done ASAP!

 

[jhm47]

In this area, nearly 100% of the skunks are carrying the rabies virus. Even though they don't show obvious signs of the disease, they can still infect other mammals with it with their bites. If you even come into contact with some of their saliva accidentally, you are at risk. I don't know where you live, but I would suspect that the skunks in your area are similarly infected.

As to the risk to your chickens---it's just a matter of time till the skunks begin to take them. Either eliminate the skunks, or enclose your birds in a very secure enclosure. If it were me, I'd do both. Good luck!

 

[Quack Shack]

Any wild animal that isn't afraid of you is probably not well. Yes, skunks are predators and may kill your birds over food or to eat. Just wouldn't trust them. May want to check into humanely trapping them and then calling the local wildlife control.

 

[kikescove.com]

As to the risk to your chickens---it's just a matter of time till the skunks begin to take them. Either eliminate the skunks, or enclose your birds in a very secure enclosure. If it were me, I'd do both. Good luck!

Sound advice!​

 

[Rootball]

skunks arent nocturnal.


Just thought I'd add this for ecucation purposes

The Center for Disease Control in Atlanta states that there is no such thing as a carrier state of rabies in any mammal, including skunks, meaning that the animals cannot have the virus in their saliva and remain free of rabies symptomsfor long periods of time. Some studies have found that the virus occurs in saliva at or slightly before onset of clinical signs and persists for several days (maximum six days). These studies also indicate that clinical signs of rabies in skunks can last from 18 days before the animal dies.

There are no carriers of rabies...If an animal gets rabies it will die.

 

[2DogsFarm]

Quote:
Really?
So the flat ones I see/smell on the roads weren't necessarily out for an evening stroll?

Rabies in skunks is a problem here - that's why my horses have gotten vaccinated every Spring since I first brought them home 5 years ago and had a skunk visit the barn.
My vet didn't agree on the necessity at first, then last year told me the AVMA had published an article recommending the vaccination for horses.

Quack Shack: skunks are probably the least spooky wildlife you will ever encounter.
They know exactly what they have for protection and seem to be aware that if they turn their backsides in your direction the next step is up to you.

The skunks/skunklets I have seen here are not acting abnormally.
I was concerned because I didn't think they ranged in daylight and that would mean the one I saw this morning WAS acting out of the normal.

As for using a humane trap:
How "humane" is it to ME to have to deal with a trapped - and therefore agitated - skunk?
They can shoot pretty far & that stuff is concentrated & oily so it sticks!
I don't own a gun so shooting from a distance is not possible, and even if it were, they can still spray after being shot.
I know people say to toss a tarp over the cage, but I'd rather not take chances.

Once my fencing is done it will be varmint-proof, but for now my girls get limited freerange turnout in the mornings (unsupervised as I'm down at the barn feeding) and sometimes in the evenings (with me pullet-sitting) - maybe 1/2 hour total each time.
Other than that, they are confined to their coop - really a roomy 10X15X8' high shed - with a double-screened door that stays open for air & light.
There's also a small window in the shed, but that gets shut at night because I need to add hardware cloth to bolster the screening.

Thanks all for your answers

rootball: just read your added info - thanks for the update!

 

[Rootball]

They are what is known as Crepuscular, meaning they are most active around dawn and dusk and avoid being active during mid day. So they basically try to avoid interaction with predators, but if you see one out during the day it is not a warning sign.

 

[Quack Shack]

Boy that takes me back to when I was a kid and my rough collie got sprayed by a skunk from under a deck. That dog was miserable and all the tomato baths didn't work. Just had to let her air it out over time. I remember my eyes tearing as I brushed her fur.

Well, you do have a point about their odoriferous personalities but I know they spray for all sorts of reasons and killing them also releases the scent so I guess there's no non-smelly way to rid yourself of the menace. I have one that frequents my compost pile for fruit leftovers. His lingering essence tells me when he's been by. I wish you luck!

 

[deerman]

Quote:
Well if this is true , you want have any skunks 100% with rabies, that mean 100% of them will die.

 

[deerman]

Skunk will get any eggs or birds on the ground. They will not climb on the high roost to get them.

Trouble you have, will be when you go out after dark and almost step on them.

Skunks are out early dusk to late dawn. I see them out all the time at 3 am.

Skunks have very little fear of anything.