Help Skunks killing our chickens

[quackcrazy]

Hello everyone, we are having MAJOR Skunk Problems at our house.. I have shot three in a week and they keep coming, I have trapped one in a live trap and the others my son and I have caught them in the coop and shot them. can these stinky pests climb ??? reason is I found some spots in the wire on top were they may squezze through.We have 1"x3" all way round top to bottom should I wrap the bottom with chicken wire ??? Any suggestions you have would be great it is starting to get expensive because of the dead chickens and eggs eaten not to mention a 9 year crying that another one of his buddies are gone.Thanks for your help

 

[chickintexas]

Wow! And huge hugs!

I'm so sorry you're going through that. We've got skunks out here, too, but I haven't found any solid info on skunk invasions, myself. Hopefully someone has some expert advice here on them that can help you out. I'll be keeping an eye on this thread because I certainly wouldn't want to have to deal with skunk raids when my little guys finally get moved outside.

 

[tamelroy]

i found this on the internet thought it might help! Good Luck!

Problem Prevention

Skunks are often attracted to residential areas by the availability of food, water, and shelter. They can be encouraged to leave by reducing or eliminating these attractants.

Remove unused pet food and water bowls at night, and keep tight fitting lids on garbage cans. Store pet food in animal proof containers. Gardens should be harvested frequently and windfall fruit picked up. Food should never be intentionally left out for wild mammals.

Seal up entry holes in and under buildings and decks. Keep pet access doors locked. Slotted metal vent covers are preferable to screen wire in keeping skunks from entering houses through foundation vents. Low backyard decks have proven to be extremely attractive shelters for skunks. They may be excluded by using 1/4 inch grid screening or solid metal flashing. Trench around the perimeter of the deck a minimum of 12 inches deep, insert screening in trench and backfill. Attach top of screening to facade of deck with nails or fence post staples. This technique may also be used along fence lines to prevent skunks from entering yards and gardens. Before completing final seal on the last entry point on a building or deck, it is wise to make sure no animals are trapped inside.

On the night before completing repairs sprinkle flour in the entrance hole, and check for tracks the following morning. If no tracks are evident for 3 consecutive nights, no animals are likely present. You may wish to make a temporary one-way exit using 1/4 inch grid screening. Form the screening into a cone or funnel shape. The large end should be sized to encircle the entry hole and be attached over the hole to the facade of the deck or building with nails or fence post staples. The small end should face away from the building and be 4 to 6 inches in diameter so that skunks can squeeze out of the hole but not re-enter.

Skunks causing lawn and turf damage may be encouraged to leave by controlling grub worms and other subsoil insects. Chemicals to control these insects may be obtained at hardware or garden supply stores.

Poultry and egg losses may be eliminated by proper fencing and by keeping well maintained, secure coops. Exclusion of skunks from coops and poultry yards is usually the most practical and effective method to prevent losses. At night, poultry should be kept in skunk-proof sheds or houses. Ideally, poultry should be confined both day and night in a sturdy house combined with a predator-proof outdoor run area. This also provides protection from many other types of predators. Usually skunks are not inclined to break through material such as chicken wire which is intact and in reasonably good condition. Entry is usually made through open, weak or loose places in fences or buildings. Skunks are excellent diggers and may try to gain entry by digging under fences. Following is a check list of measures you can use to protect poultry from skunks:

Cover outdoor runs with wire mesh and/or suitable paneling material and fasten securely. If this is not practical, shut poultry indoors at night.

Patch or repair all holes or weak places in existing wire or wood coops or runs.

Check all edges of overlapping or stapled chicken wire for tightness, and tie or staple securely.

Check ground edges of coop for tightness. You may need to bury fencing to a minimum depth of 12 inches.

Coop doors should be close fitting and sturdy. Beware of plywood doors which may have substantial warp at corners.

To prevent skunks from reaching in and grabbing poultry, night roosting or standing areas should be at least 12 inches away from cracks or wire mesh that is more than 3/4 inch square in spacing. Smaller size wire can be installed near roosting areas.

Other birds housed in wire or plastic cages should be kept within skunk-proof buildings at night. An alternative solution is to hang or suspend cages from ceilings at least 4 feet above the floor and 5 feet away from walls or fences.

 

[quackcrazy]

Found the skunks home !! bad news it is on my neighbors property where they have pilled up junk in the field, question now do I keep setting traps or would you "feed" them to wipe them all out?????

 

[tamelroy]

If it was me, I would wipe them out. Others might not agree, but when it comes to my girls thats what I would do.

Good luck!

 

[Higins00]

I would take them all down as well. Your place must smell great!

 

[quackcrazy]

yes it smells bad!! neighbors are not sitting on their deck nor coming outside !! I dont like killing animals but when the smelly creatures come for a free dinner then I feel obligated to feed them lead !!!

 

[chickintexas]

I'd be doing the same thing! Hoping you get 'em all

 

[BB3]

I forgot to close the door Thanksgiving and all 8 of mine were killed just for fun and not eaten by a skunk, and no skunksmell at all.

 

[welasharon]

After killing them, chances are more will move in. It would be impossible to remove every threat to your chickens. There is always going to be something else after them. To me it seems a better solution to concentrate on skunk proofing the housing and run. I have hardware cloth on all sides and the top of my enclosure with cement pavers extending out from the sides at the bottom.
sharon