Skunks readily eat chicken eggs and will target a coop as an easy source of high-protein food. They are omnivorous creatures that follow an opportunistic feeding strategy, consuming whatever is most accessible and nutritionally dense. Eggs provide a concentrated package of fat and protein that is particularly appealing to a nocturnal forager. Since they are unable to climb well, eggs in ground-level nests are an ideal and defenseless meal. The presence of eggs, spilled feed, or unsecured garbage can draw a skunk to the immediate vicinity of a chicken coop, establishing a regular foraging route.
Skunks as Opportunistic Predators
Skunks rely on their keen sense of smell to locate food, compensating for their poor eyesight. Their natural diet centers heavily on insects, such as grubs, beetles, and grasshoppers, which they actively dig for using their long, strong front claws. They also consume small rodents, berries, roots, and vegetation, making them highly adaptable to various habitats. Eggs fit seamlessly into this diet as a convenient source of animal protein found during their nightly foraging rounds.
The eggs require minimal effort to obtain and consume. A skunk’s preference is always for the easiest meal available, and a chicken coop often represents a reliable, low-risk food source. While a skunk may occasionally kill a small or sick chicken, their primary interest lies in the eggs and the insect larvae found around the coop area.
Identifying Egg Predation
Distinguishing skunk damage from that of other nocturnal predators like raccoons or opossums requires looking for specific evidence. Skunks typically open the egg by crushing one end or creating a small hole, then licking out the contents, often leaving the shell halves scattered at the site of the nest. The edges of the shell fragments are usually pushed inward from the initial puncture. This contrasts with raccoons, which often carry eggs away from the nest before consuming them and crushing the shells completely, or opossums, who tend to crush and consume the entire egg and shell.
Skunks rarely disturb the nesting material significantly and generally do not kill adult fowl when seeking eggs. The presence of small, cone-shaped holes, approximately three to four inches across, dug into the yard or coop floor, suggests a skunk was foraging for grubs nearby. A faint but distinct skunk musk odor may be detectable near the coop entrance or nesting boxes, serving as a sign of recent activity.
Exclusion and Deterrence Methods
Exclusion, which involves physically blocking access to the coop, is the most effective method for preventing skunk predation. Skunks are adept at digging, so perimeter security must extend underground. Burying hardware cloth or wire mesh at least six inches deep and extending it one foot horizontally from the coop walls will deter them from digging underneath. All ground-level openings must be sealed, and the main door should be tightly latched every evening before dusk.
Environmental modifications also deter skunks by removing attractants. All chicken feed and pet food should be secured in airtight containers and never left outside overnight, as the scent easily draws skunks. Promptly collecting eggs multiple times a day prevents accumulation in the nest boxes, removing the primary food incentive. Securing trash cans with locking lids and clearing up any spilled feed eliminates secondary food sources that attract skunks to the property.