What do skunks do?

[DianeS]

The past few mornings I have woken up to the distinct odor of a skunk having taken a nice long visit next to my chicken run. I think my run and coop are decently predator-proof, but since this is the first predator that has taken a noticable interest in them, I'd like to be sure it's resistant to this particular predator.

So what do skunks typically do? Do they dig under, or climb over? Are they after just the eggs, or would they take a grown chicken too? Do they try to reach in through openings like a raccoon does, or do they want to get their whole body in before trying to eat?

Any info on skunks would be appreciated! This is one critter I'm NOT going to try to trap. LOL! I want him to realize there's no obtainable food here and just move along...

 

[wvfoxhunter]

Skunks are like ferrets they will get into what ever they can get there head through, so any small holes could be a problem. They wont climb over but they will try to dig under. They will take both eggs and full grown chickens, but if they catch a chicken its a miracle for them. Try some electric fence around the very bottom of the run if it tries to dig under. And they wont reach under like coons they want there whole body in to do whatever they want to do.