First Time Turkeys

Great looking coop! I can't help with the skunk though. Other than the hav-a-hart (potentially smelly) or snaring it (definately smelly) there aren't many options for taking it alive.
 
What about another predator urine smell? Like coyote? Or fox? Try dribbling that around it might deter them from coming over. But I don't know if it might bring over other coyotes or fox who want to know who's moved into the neighborhood.

Just a thought.
 
Actually the dogs have no interest in the smell coming from under the coop at the entrance. So I don't think predator urine would do much except get the dogs excited. The dogs are not allowed in that part of the yard until this is over. Bill at the feed store said that skunks will kill poultry and after what we have been through raising them in the basement (stinky) and all the work on the coop it's game on.

If I can trap it, it will be humanely dispatched and disposed of.

As for final paint color I have no idea, that decision is best left to DW. I got most of the fencing up today and have two more vents to install and a couple of large shade fabric canopies to fabricate.

I can't wait to let them out in the run and be outside and living like a turkey for their first time. It's a lot of work but, it's great therapy until gardening therapy kicks in..... soon! ;)
 
Oh geez I thought Lesa had the skunk problem. If I'd known it was you I wouldn't have said that. You handle it just like I would. Trap and humanely dispatch.
 
Very nice looking coop!! Really nice! Now for the skunk......throw mothballs under there. Not loose ones, put them in a pair of pantyhose or in a coffee can with a lid on it and holes punched in the can. Then light it up. Skunks like dark places. Put a strong light under the coop and leave it on 24-7. When you are sure the skunk is not under the coop, fence around the bottom of it so skunky can't get back in.

Or you could just shoot it and hope it doesn't run back under the coop to die. :lau
 
Jared, I did have a skunk problem... but as I find with most critters that come my way- they can't hold their breath for very long. I don't like killing things, but if you are going to have livestock- you've got to do it.
 
Just checked the trap this morning. Bait gone, trap still open. I guess this is going to be a battle of wits.
 
Get on BYC today. There are many threads about coops and enclosure building. People who have had predator problems have dug down and bent hardware cloth into an "L", deep enough at the base of the fencing to keep predators from digging under. That is what is happening to you. Once a predator, like a skunk, finds a meal ticket, you have to either trap and relocate MANY MILES away, like 30-50, OR kill them.
 
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