Skunks?

[HarleyHyena]

Alright, so earlier today I found two baby skunks in my yard... They are tiny. I've heard they enjoy eating chicken. Now I'm scared mama/papa will start to hunt my chickens... I've found three, two in my front yard and one was hiding out about 10 feet away from my chicken coop. Are the babies going to stay in the area? Or will they find a new home once they get a little older?

Note... I caught one that wouldn't leave my front yard in a little bug net and moved it to where the other baby skunk was... I have dogs and I'm afraid it would stick around and spray them if they got too close.

 

[Folly's place]

They are beyond cute, but not in your yard! Make sure that there's no food out in the yard to attract them, and hope that they move on elsewhere. Consider locking your flock in for a while, so the little varmits can't get to the birds, feed, or eggs. Or trap and shoot... Mary

 

[HarleyHyena]

They are beyond cute, but not in your yard! Make sure that there's no food out in the yard to attract them, and hope that they move on elsewhere. Consider locking your flock in for a while, so the little varmits can't get to the birds, feed, or eggs. Or trap and shoot... Mary

I hate the idea of shooting 'em, but if I have to do it to protect my flock I will. Would it be a bad idea to trap and relocate at such a young age?

 

[MakelaNJoe]

i have skunks in my area that and raccons is about all we worry about here.. about a week back my pitbulls found one trying to make its way into the chicken coop they sure let us know the booger was out there but unfortunatly not without a good spray to the face! i would agree to keep them locked up!

 

[Folly's place]

It's illegal to relocate in most states, for good reasons. Rabies and other diseases move that way, and relocated animals have a horrible time setting up new territory and finding food. Here in Michigan, a trapped critter can be released on your own property, or another private landowner's in the same county with landowner permission. Then you have a trap- savvy critter who likes human habitat and won't be trapped again. Not good either. Mary

 

[LeafBlade12345]

What happened with the skunks? Cutest things ever, but certainly not a good idea around chooks!