2 nights ago I threw some bread and a bratwurst into the chickens run so when I let them out in the morning they would have a little treat. Anyway, yesterday morning I noticed the brat was half gone and the bread had a bite taken out of it. So I thought... oh great a Coon, Possum or weasel is thinking they have a free meal. So I setup my live havaheart trap next to the run last night with some Science Diet Oral Care (important note) dog food thinking I would catch him and either dispose or relocate the little critter.
Well at 6:30 am my wife tells me our dog is out back barking insanely toward the chicken coop. I responded with, "Alright I caught the little thief". She responds with, "Well I don't think this is exactly the thief you wanted. This one has a big black and white poofy tail." I know she was thinking you caught a skunk you big dummy. Anyway, a Skunk!
So I go look out there from a distance and sure enough a huge skunk. I had a major delima on my hands. How do I get that thing out of there. I didn't want to shoot it because it would spray while dying which is all i need with the relatives coming for easter. I even called animal control for our county and they said they don't handle live skunks. What? So I didn't want to approach it in fear of getting sprayed. So I rigged up an extension pole to attempt to open the gate on the trap. First off, how do they expect you to open those things with a skunk? Also, why do you need three hands to open them? So I'm trying to lift 3 levers with one extension pole in which i duct taped a hook on the end. I finally said, screw it... I slowly walked up to the cage while talking to myself and at times singing the star spangled banner. Which I read some where. Anyway, I walked up to the trap... opened the gate and propped a brick in the opening... then walked away. As I walked away I looked back to see it leaving.
I didn't want to kill him because skunks eat a lot of mice and other rodents. Coons, possum or weasel i would just dispose.
Questions:
1) Will a skunk climb a 6 ft high fence?
2) Is it bad that i forgot parts of the star spangled banner?
3) Do you think I was too nice by feeding him good dog food which helped him with tartar control?
LOL!
Well at 6:30 am my wife tells me our dog is out back barking insanely toward the chicken coop. I responded with, "Alright I caught the little thief". She responds with, "Well I don't think this is exactly the thief you wanted. This one has a big black and white poofy tail." I know she was thinking you caught a skunk you big dummy. Anyway, a Skunk!
So I go look out there from a distance and sure enough a huge skunk. I had a major delima on my hands. How do I get that thing out of there. I didn't want to shoot it because it would spray while dying which is all i need with the relatives coming for easter. I even called animal control for our county and they said they don't handle live skunks. What? So I didn't want to approach it in fear of getting sprayed. So I rigged up an extension pole to attempt to open the gate on the trap. First off, how do they expect you to open those things with a skunk? Also, why do you need three hands to open them? So I'm trying to lift 3 levers with one extension pole in which i duct taped a hook on the end. I finally said, screw it... I slowly walked up to the cage while talking to myself and at times singing the star spangled banner. Which I read some where. Anyway, I walked up to the trap... opened the gate and propped a brick in the opening... then walked away. As I walked away I looked back to see it leaving.
I didn't want to kill him because skunks eat a lot of mice and other rodents. Coons, possum or weasel i would just dispose.
Questions:
1) Will a skunk climb a 6 ft high fence?
2) Is it bad that i forgot parts of the star spangled banner?
3) Do you think I was too nice by feeding him good dog food which helped him with tartar control?
LOL!
