What is this skunk doing??

[chickenmama109]

Hi so I have had something getting in to my coop for the last week and I have been trying to guess What it is going in there when one morning I went to go and see what hole he dug and my garage smelt like skunk and the coop is right next to the garage he has been taking the eggs from the laying box's close the to ground but the other day I put some cayenne pepper around the coop and that made him not dig in my yesterday my chickens moved the pepper all every where so he got in last night but he went up to the top right next to my chickens and ate all of the eggs but I'm worried if I take the eggs that he will eat my chickens so what do I do I can't dig under the coop and put wire down but will he eat my chickens if I take the eggs. Thanks

 

[Howard E]

Best defense against digging predators is an apron around the outside of the coop and/or run.

An apron is a flat piece of wire fencing.......my preference is a 2' wide roll of 1" x 2" 14 gauge welded wire. You fasten it along one edge of the wire to the base of the coop.....the rest of it is simply laid out flat on the ground. In this manner, it works just like the main wire to keep them out, but in this case, it is laid flat on the ground to keep them from digging.

As varmints attempt their dig, they hit the wire (while standing upon it). They may cast up and down the line trying to find a way in, but always at the base where horizontal and vertical meet. They never figure out they need to back up and start a tunneling operation way out behind them.

Some may get away with as little as a foot or so of apron width, but I've always used 2 feet as a safe margin.

To prep the ground, get out a lawnmower and crop the grass down as close as you can get it. Really scalp it down. Then lay the wire on the nearly bare dirt. Hold it down with landscape fabric staples. In time, and it won't be long.....the grass will return to grow up through the apron. Within a week or so, you may not even know it is there and laid down close to the surface, you should be able to mow right over it with no worries.

 

[cmom]

Electric wire around the bottom of the coop close enough to the ground so if the predator does dig it will get a good zap. Once they get shocked they don't try again and if they do they will get shocked again and then maybe get the message.

 

[HappyDancin']

Wow! It seems lucky that he didn't mess with the chickens! They can be very "murderous" to a flock, can't they? Yikes You're right, glad those eggs were there.

The skunk will certainly come back for more eggs...or chicken. So yes, upping your defense is the way to go! I agree with the apron idea, since he's already been digging.

Also, I am impressed to hear that the pepper worked (at least, while it was in a concentrated pile).

 

[chickenmama109]

Wow! It seems lucky that he didn't mess with the chickens! They can be very "murderous" to a flock, can't they? Yikes You're right, glad those eggs were there.

The skunk will certainly come back for more eggs...or chicken. So yes, upping your defense is the way to go! I agree with the apron idea, since he's already been digging.

Also, I am impressed to hear that the pepper worked (at least, while it was in a concentrated pile).

Thanks yes I know it's a skunk for sure cuz last night it was almost 9 and it was getting dark a skunk cane walking up to the coop so know I'm setting a trap and hopefully I catch it

 

[chickenmama109]

Thanks every one for your help