Are Opossums Misunderstood?

[SB907]

My yard is an opossum highway. I have caught them in the coop, they have walked through my flock in broad daylight, and for the most part, they have coexisted peacefully for the past 4 years. A couple months ago, I lost several of my silkies (one a week, three consecutive weeks) to a mystery predator: all were broody at the time, and as eternally broody silkies, would not have vacated their "nest" if their life depended on it. I found their bodies partially eaten under a shed that the opossums are known to frequent, and we have no other ground predators that could carry them that far, so I suspect an opossum wandered in just before dusk, happened upon a silkie that wouldn't run away, and took the opportunity to grab it. Elevated the nest boxes a bit, and locking the girls up a little earlier than normal and we have had no further issues. I don't think they are going to be chasing down and catching a healthy adult chicken or breaking into a coop like a raccoon might. They have pretty terrible eyesight, but if they stumble upon an easy meal, they will take it!

 

[The Moonshiner]

No. They're understood perfectly here.

 

[mowin]

Not miss understood at all. Nasty, disease carrying, chicken/egg eating critter. Don't want them anywhere near my place.

 

[Chicken Heel]

I suspect this situation will not end well for the OP or the opossums.

 

[No Coop No Problem]

I think this goes for most predators. They're simply hungry animals, not evil monsters. I've even seen pictures online of someone feeding and petting wild foxes that were peacefully mere feet away from their chickens walking around

I briefly contemplated doing the same with my foxes, but I don't want to be stuck in a mafia type situation where I'm supporting an expanding population of foxes that if I stop feeding they kill my chickens

 

[Almosta Farm]

Most definitely! They are the coolest little guys! They are all around where I live and I see them regularly. I, like you, put food scraps out for them rather than putting food in the garbage to go to a landfill. They appreciate it I'm sure! I've never had a problem with them bothering my chickens. I have found them in my run at night and just pick them up and take them out. They look ferocious, but it's all for show ... they hiss and show their evil looking teeth, but I've never had one try to bite. They are just trying to survive like all the rest of God's creatures.