Possums are Chicken Killers

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I kept wondering what was eating our cat food. Well one night my wife caught the curpurt and it was a hugh opossum. We tried to hit him over the head with a shovel, but he looked at us and snarled and ran off faster than I could chase him. I reinforced my chicken pen and purchased a .22 cal firearm. Hopefully this will stop him. I know up at the farm the opussoms and weasels have killed several chickens. We are thinking when we get him we are going to save some major money on cat food!!!!!
 
BOATMAN said:
I kept wondering what was eating our cat food.  Well one night my wife caught the curpurt and it was a hugh opossum.  We tried  to hit him over the head with a shovel, but he looked at us and snarled and ran off faster than I could chase him.  I reinforced my chicken pen and purchased a .22 cal firearm.  Hopefully this will stop him.  I know up at the farm the opussoms and weasels have killed several chickens.  We are thinking when we get him we are going to save some major money on cat food!!!!!
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They also like chicken and rabbit food and, of course, chickens and rabbits.
 
If you have dogs, send them after the opossum. Opossum usually play dead after minimal harassment from dogs.

Our birds (chickens and Muscovies) have been hit hard from all directions over the past 12 months, but last night was time for some payback! My coon hound detected intruder activity within the perimeter, and she quickly cornered the opossum. It played dead. Then I shot it dead for real! (Non-moving targets are easier to hit, of course, saving ammunition.)

I hated to do it, as I am an animal lover, but it had to be done.

Plus, coyotes (who cannot get into our fenced area, luckily) get a nice dinner tossed over the fence. Our coon hound was paid in full, too--receiving a reward of another evening meal!
 
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Bear Foot Farm said:
Live traps are more effective (and cheaper) than a gun, simply because the traps work ALL the time
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Indeed. For the most part, I don't doubt it; although predators can often "outsmart" traps. Also, initial outlay for a trap costs much more than do a few rounds of .22--if you are already armed (especially considering the size of trap required to catch a opossum). Proper firearms maintenance yields proper function, too, of course.

Sometimes one must work with what one has! ; )
 
Opossums are one of the few critters that do seem not to become trap-wise. House fly maggots I think are quicker learners. Try catching opossum with live-trap and marking it somehow, then release and re-arm the trap. Same opossum will keep coming back so long as trap is baited, unless another opossum beats marked one to it.
 
Interesting! Good points, centrarchid and Bear Foot Farm--thanks.

Didn't realize opossums weren't all that bright (I have more in common with 'em than I thought--LOL!).

While I don't anticipate encountering too many more of them (could be wrong, of course), perhaps I'll save up for a live trap. I'd rather catch and release elsewhere than kill them; I always thought they were neat critters as a kid. And there are at least a couple more similarly-sized predators in these here parts....
 
I started with my chicks back in March and I love them. You never know what's lurking! Once I put trap out I caught 5 raccoons and 1 possum.
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And then this! A 10 footer!
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Cheryls said:
I started with my chicks back in March and I love them. You never know what's lurking! Once I put trap out I caught 5 raccoons and 1 possum.
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And then this! A 10 footer!
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Well, ok!! That is impressive. I don't think they sell live catch traps for gators. Gators will eat your chickens, dogs, and other living creatures. Scary.
 

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