Tried to catch a racoon, caught a skunk instead. How do we get rid of it?

[Stony7089]

Hi all,

We noticed a racoon near our enclosure and set a trap for it (just a standard cage trap), instead we got a skunk .

My first question: Is it even worth killing? It may go into the enclosure to steal food but probably won't bother the birds.

If not, how do we get rid of it? We need to catch the coon and can't have a skunk setting off our trap.

How far away will we need to release it for it to not come back? Also how do we release it without getting sprayed?

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome!
First of all, your coop and run need to be predator proof, because catching every visitor won't ever save your birds.
Then, in most/ many states, like Michigan, releasing a trapped critter can only happen on your own property, or in your county on private land with land owner permission. This skunk will be trap wise, a risk to every other poultry owner.
Skunks do carry rabies, a very big deal! And they will kill chickens at night while they are roosting.
Handling this tra, this time. what we've done works fine. Walk towards the trap holding a tarp, or old blanket, in front of you, so any spray hits it rather than you. Toss the tarp/ blanket over the trap, and carry it all away from the house, next to the grave site. Then, move the tarp enough so you can shoot the skunk, by far best in it's head. When it's dead, dump it right from the trap into the hole, and cover. Wear gloves! Do NOT get it's saliva on your bare hands! Then rinse the trap, maybe with some disinfectant spray, and reuse.
We've actually never had a trapped skunk spray, a very good thing...
Mary