Our Chickens and Ducks Make A New Friend

My husband and I were sitting on the front porch when I heard one of the chickens give their distress call. It was probably Sassy because she is constantly running to me clucking anxiously. If she were a human, she would definitely be a busy body and a tattletale.

Doesn't the look in her eye remind you of Mrs. Olsen on Little House on the Prairie? Chickens have certain sounds for certain situations. If you really pay attention you can learn the difference. I've become more familiar with what's going on just by their call.

As we rounded the curve on our sidewalk, we could see that the chickens had discovered something. We just couldn't see what that discovery could possibly be.

As we got closer, the chickens all turned and looked at us, because they weren't sure what to do.

And then we realized that they had come across a SKUNK! I gently lead the chickens to the coop.

Even the ducks, who usually keep to themselves when mischief occurs, had to come take a peek. They nonchalantly walked by, just one time and they too followed the chickens and me to the coop.

The cute little critter was not afraid of me. As small as it seemed, I figured it was just a baby. I know nothing about skunks. The cute little thing was so busy rooting for whatever it is skunks root for, that he/she didn't notice that I had gotten....

this close. I photographed the skunk many times. It seemed unfazed. And then it scrunched and started to lift it's tail. I'm not sure at what age they start spraying. Nor, did I know this critter's age. I do however know exactly what the spray smells like, so I ran. We ended up with three skunks in our yard. I'm not sure what drew them to our property. I'm not even sure if they will bother our chickens. Now that I know she can simulate a spray attack position, I am absolutely sure that we plan to stay away from them.