Ugh... A family of skunks moving into our backyard :(

[Brindlebtch]

I agree w/ Nat! Real interestin to have wildlife etc around to observe until one sprays and then (gag a maggot) it take WEEKS to get the odor out of a structure.

 

[sonew123]

Quote:
They live trap them and humanely euthanize...My BIL is in that business and he is skunk crazy! Always has a skunk to put down-racoons too-thats where I get all my live traps

 

[spook]

Hi, I have found that if you broadcast dehydrated blood 'meal' (?) and continue to do so after each rain, then you will deter them. Don't know why, but its sterile and harmless to kids and hens.

Also, if you get sprayed by a skunk, immediately use Lever 2000. Your clothing are done for, but I was sprayed in the face after I released a skunk from a live trap, had a function to attend in a couple hours...ended up using the soap and even tho I could still get a faint whiff, no one else knew a thing. Either that or they were super kind. Now personally I don't mind a skunk around, not in daylight etc but they tend to keep fox, raccoons and Coydogs from making dens around the property.
Good luck!!!

 

[madimorg]

I've always enjoyed watching the skunks around our home... they do come up and dig for grubs and eat bugs. I've never really noticed much of an odor with them unless they have recently sprayed, and as long as you haven't startled them that wont typically happen. I'm one of those who loves all wildlife and I'm good with allowing all animals a place to live...that's one of the reasons why I enjoy country living.

 

[RM44]

I have to say that I would have to get rid of the skunks. Just don't want to take chances on getting sprayed or them spraying the henhouse, the hens, or my house.....or me!!!

But I'm interested also in your nightly tasks. So you were clipping the wings at 1:30 in the morning? Is that because it's easier to get to the chickens when they are already asleep on the roost? Do you have someone hold a flashlight for you? And you do the ducks at night too? I've got one hen who thinks she's a hawk and flies around the run with her talons out, grabbing at the top sides of the fencing, about 7-8 feet up in the air. I'm always worried she's going to hurt herself or someone else. I'm kind of interested in this wing clipping thing.

 

[ellieroo]

Have had a semi tame skunk for two yrs and had no trouble now the last two nights ugh

her boyfriend sprayed our dog ,she caught it right in the mouth!!

She learned not to run out and bark so she sneakes up on them now and goes woof the response was instant ! Moth balls have never worked here wish they did Pretty stinky world I live in!!

http://www.wildlifecontrolsupplies....ode=WCSODRLS&Category_Code=Skunk_Rabbit_Traps

these are great traps by the way

 

[Orchid]

Quote:
Same here. We have a live and let live policy unless a wild animal looks sick or behaves uncharacteristically. Skunks are pretty neat and eat a lot of things we don't want around, like mice and grubs.

That being said, I would try to discourage a skunk family from moving in under my shed, just because I wouldn't want one to spray under there when I was inside it! If you can run water under there without swamping your belongings, that will get them to move out in a hurry, and then you can block their access to it. Moth balls are disgusting in my opinion though

...I would honestly rather smell skunk spray.

 

[aprophet]

Quote:
Pre-exposure rabies vaccination is probably not covered by most insurance unless your job is a vet or ADC Trapper someone at risk, once you have been bitten most insurance would more then likely cover it then.

 

[Sammimom]

We had skunks all over the place where I grew up as a kid, we even had a pet (outdoor) skunk named Percy, my dad rescued him from a fence post hole as a baby. They would periodically spray the dogs, but after a scrubbing the smell would wear out eventually. It was bigger trouble when the dogs got into the porcupines.

Maybe after the skunk family moves on you can block off the area under the shed so they are less inclined to return.

 

[chickenwhisperer]

You guys dont see where he is located . . . ???
They dont let rabid skunks live in the Bay Area . . .

I would certainly not let them get too comfortable.
Covered live traps, or order a couple spray-proof skunk traps, and do what you will when they are caught, I think animal control will come get em.

Skunks are bad news, you dont want them around.

Im sure youve seen whats going on over here, you dont want a situation like that on your hands . . .

Best to nip this in the bud right off!