Are Opossums Misunderstood?

[catobsessed]

I’ve been feeding this particular opossum and her friends for over a year now and not once have any of them tried to go after my chickens or any other animal hanging around. Obviously I would never leave any of my birds alone with one, but I have come to the conclusion they aren’t a threat, at least in my yard. There was one night one of the coop doors weren’t shut, yet all the opossums who came by for a snack didn’t take the opportunity.

The look of betrayal when there are no snacks.

An interaction a little too close for comfort, but ended fine.

For reference this is how the coop setup is. Above ground surrounded with hardware cloth and trick locks. Probably a big factor on why there have been no opossum incidents.
I also only have a small handful of chickens.

Raccoons however, are not friends. Those get chased off or trapped and relocated if they don’t get the hint.

 

[Debbie292d]

You're doing what I've heard is one way to keep them from eating eggs or killing chickens, and that is to keep them fed. An opossum only goes after our eggs/chickens when they're starving supposedly.

I've heard if you have one hanging around the coop, to set out a bucket of cheap dry cat food and you'll never have a problem with them.

We've had one around here, but it's never been near our coop, so it must've just been snooping around. We border a forest, so suppose that's where he lives.

 

[catobsessed]

You're doing what I've heard is one way to keep them from eating eggs or killing chickens, and that is to keep them fed. An opossum only goes after our eggs/chickens when they're starving supposedly.

I've heard if you have one hanging around the coop, to set out a bucket of cheap dry cat food and you'll never have a problem with them.

We've had one around here, but it's never been near our coop, so it must've just been snooping around. We border a forest, so suppose that's where he lives.

That could very well be the case. I read that opossums are going to want the easiest meal possible so
That might be a factor. These guys are always getting leftovers that need to be thrown out and cat food. I actually tried to offer boiled eggs that broke but they snubbed it! The alpha opossum always walks up to me when I’m sitting out in the evening but keeps a safe distance. She’s like where’s my food? she shares with the neighbors cat a lot too. I’ve really enjoyed having these guys around. Some are “trained” to know exactly where to go for food.

 

[Debbie292d]

That could very well be the case. I read that opossums are going to want the easiest meal possible so
That might be a factor. These guys are always getting leftovers that need to be thrown out and cat food. I actually tried to offer boiled eggs that broke but they snubbed it! The alpha opossum always walks up to me when I’m sitting out in the evening but keeps a safe distance. She’s like where’s my food? she shares with the neighbors cat a lot too. I’ve really enjoyed having these guys around. Some are “trained” to know exactly where to go for food.

You did take adorable pictures of him/her too by the way.

I have read posts where someone found one sleeping in their coop, another who found one had a litter of babies in their coop, and yet others who've said they've stolen eggs or killed a chicken (rarer).

 

[catobsessed]

Oh yeah, I’m not trying to say opossums will NEVER get a chicken if given the opportunity but overall I think they are okay. Those sound like crazy encounters, but even mine catch me by surprise by being right by the door when I’m getting a drink from the outdoor fridge haha.