Are possems more of a threat

[muell112]

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If the possum has been on your coop and hasn't gotten in, it sounds like your coop is fairly well constructed. I'm sure you know if you have any holes or weak spots - if so, I would suggest patching those. I personally would not be worried about a lot of disease transfer. It's kind of like us being worried from getting sick from our chickens. Yes there is avian flu sometimes but do you worry about getting mites from your chickens? Or their other ailments? I would be more worried about other birds near/on the coop than mammals. My chickens are my pets also - I don't think anyone here is telling you to not worry about it because they're "just chickens".

My suggestion was that fixing your enclosure should fix your worries - if you're not sure if you have a weakness you haven't inspected it closely enough and you should really do that first.

I have a problem when people complain about wildlife when their chicken's well-being really hinges on them having a good solid enclosure where they are protected. It's our responsibility to protect our chickens and our natural wildlife - you made a choice to get chickens and the wildlife is just trying to make a living in your city.

 

[lleighmay]

Possums are opportunists. They will eat what they can find, be it an earthworm, an apple, or a dead creature on the side of the road. If they come upon an egg or a chicken they'll certainly give them a try too. I have rehabbed several possums and coexist peacefully with them and a variety of other wildlife on my property. I feel confident because my run and coop are secure and I lock the birds up at night. Trust me- they are not brain surgeons. If they can't get into your enclosure they won't see it as a food source that requires hours of contemplation and effort on a nightly basis in order to get to the prize inside. Mine know where the farm cats' food is and usually dine with them in the evenings. Possums do sometimes appear during the day, especially if they've been caught out by daylight away from their homes, or if they feel secure in their territory. Unlike some other wild animals (such as coons) this is rarely an indication that they are sick. They don't carry lice and, while they may have fleas, so do most other animals which may pass through your yard (including bunnies and stray cats).
I am not making light of your worries, and my chickens are pets too. Having worked night shift in a variety of areas (urban and rural) I can assure you that you would be amazed at the variety of animals which abound in even the most congested surroundings. Possums are probably the least of your worries. Check your coop and pen regularly and assess if it has sustained any damage of if you perceive an area as a weak point. Then shore it up accordingly. Try not to obsess about it until you worry yourself sick over the safety of your pets. All we can do is the best we can do.

 

[AinaWGSD]

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If they aren't finding a food source, they will move on. If they can't get into your coop and get at your eggs or your chickens, then they will move on to something easier. Especially in an urban environment where there are so many other options nearby (the dumpster at McDonalds is a LOT easier, and more rewarding, than your secured coop).

As for diseases, there aren't that many diseases that you need to worry about your chickens catching from mammals. Lice are species specific...'possum lice will not infest birds, dogs, cats, or any other species that isn't very closely related. The number one carrier of fleas in urban/suburban environments is rabbits, squirrels are also carriers and you are unlikely to keep either of these out of your yard so the 'possums are not going to increase your risks for fleas at all. Yes, opossums are vectors for some pretty nasty diseases, but those diseases are really much more of a concern to local dog and cat owners. Yes, they are nasty when cornered...all wildlife is. Yes, they will eat your chickens if given a chance...don't give them a chance and it will be fine.

Then there's the added issue of discharging firearms within city limits. In almost all cities this is illegal. Your neighbors are likely to notice, and if they call the authorities and the authorities catch you you're looking at a lot more than a $50 relocation fee. SSS is a great option for those in rural areas, it is generally not a viable/legal option for those of us who live in urban areas or within city limits.

 

[Pollo Blanco]

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For your .22 there are CB Caps; the only thing you'll hear is the firing pin. Much quieter than a pellet rifle, which is my first urban choice. Most all sporting goods stores sell affordably priced pellet rifles. Another fantastic method is to just drop the live trap into a barrel of water.


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[PhilErvin]

I have a 6 ft. wooden fence with a top rail about 6 inches down. I have had many Opossums over the years run along the top rail. My Border Terrier barks like he has treed something and I can tell by his bark that it is an Opossum. I used to go out and take a broom and simply knock it off into the neighbors yard. They would always be back withih a few nights so what I now do is catch them and relocate them. I have a 3 ft. piece of 1/2 inch pvc with a loop of braided wire running through it. I walk up to the Opossum and simply loop the wire over its head and pull it into a trash can that I have placed under it. I then put the can in the back of the truck with my son with instructions that when we get to our drop point he jump up and throw it into the bushes as I take off. I don't want anyone seeing me do this. I figure it will be good food for all the coyotes we have around here.

 

[muell112]

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For your .22 there are CB Caps; the only thing you'll hear is the firing pin. Much quieter than a pellet rifle, which is my first urban choice. Most all sporting goods stores sell affordably priced pellet rifles. Another fantastic method is to just drop the live trap into a barrel of water.


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Just be responsible and check your coop for weak spots. Ammo and live traps will cost you money also just like some additional wire fencing will, and quite frankly dropping a trapped possum in a barrel of water is probably the cruelest thing I've read on this site in a long time.

 

[Guinea Goonie]

Possum, skunk and racoon LOVE dry cat food. Try to feed the critters away from your chickens IF you see them. I have done this pretty succesfully and then was able to dispatch them without further harm to my flock.

One morning I found a possum IN one of the nest boxes and it was a darn big one. I did manage to dispatch it with little damage to the nest boxes and I chased the flock out of the barn before I did the deed.

I HAVE lost a few silkies to a possum, they will kill. I have never lost a chicken to a coon or a skunk, but perhaps I just got lucky.


The WORST predator in my humble opinion is our friend the cannine. I have heard that a Weasel can be very destructive.

 

[Pollo Blanco]

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The barrel trick works for raccoons, cats, etc. Additionally, it doesn't 'cost' me extra because I already own it. To each their own; if you don't mind dealing with death or destruction of your chikens, fine with me, I was mearly offering up the barrel solution for someone who didn't have a pellet rifle or .22 to dispose of the contents of the live trap, or was adverse to the slight 'cracking' sound produced by said pellet on skull.

 

[muell112]

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The barrel trick works for raccoons, cats, etc. Additionally, it doesn't 'cost' me extra because I already own it. To each their own; if you don't mind dealing with death or destruction of your chikens, fine with me, I was mearly offering up the barrel solution for someone who didn't have a pellet rifle or .22 to dispose of the contents of the live trap, or was adverse to the slight 'cracking' sound produced by said pellet on skull.

I don't want death and destruction to come to my chickens either - that's why I dug my fence into the ground so things can't dig in and made sure there's no holes in my coop. We have foxes, bears, raccoons etc here and I've never had anything break in. I'm just suggesting there is a way to have livestock and wildlife co-exist and that's by building an enclosure that is suited for the area in which you live. If both are an option I don't know why you'd choose to kill something vs. taking a little time to check your coop. And yes, you obviously own your equipment already so the comment about cost wasn't directed at you.

 

[aprophet]

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when they are really dead they lose control of their bowels every one I have ever dispatched I have used this bit of info to keep me from getting bit good luck with your birds

See i thought that was part of them playing "Opposum" ?????

every one I have ever dispatched I used this to determine they had expired this has been working for quiet a number of years now, and the last 2 times I tried it drowning does not hurt!!!