Are possums a problem in the run?

[Nonny]

I was outside last night at dusk and noticed a possum half up the tree in our run, when I disturbed him he panicked a bit and starting running up and down the trees trying to get out but I have bird netting over the run so he couldn't get out. Finally I backed off and he ran across the ground and straight out through the CLOSED gate! Obviously the holes in the gate are too big, although it was a very small possum, I'm wondering if I should worry about more getting in or if not. The girls weren't worried at all by it.

 

[bryan99705]

Yes, They are a opportunistic killer! Time to tighten up the wire and wire in the roof if possible unless the coop is tight and you do a nightly lock down.

 

[BrattishTaz]

It will kill your birds if it gets the chance.

 

[Nonny]

The coop locks down tight, but I've been slack and have been leaving the door open for them to roam in and out with these colder mornings (it's winter here in Oz) because I don't like the thought of them stuck in the small coop unable to get the morning sun or the early bugs before I drag my sorry bum out of bed.

I did some reading just now and found a link that said true possums in Australia (not the North American ones) don't eat chickens or eggs, so now I'm confused.

 

[CatDaddyAlbert]

My experience has been that Mr. P is there for the eggs not necessarily the chickens but they are Omnivores and WILL kill chicks for sure and a large bird if they are hungry.

 

[epeloquin]

Opossums will definitely have a go at your girls given the chance. Definitely close up gaps in the run and I would think about cooping the girls at night. My girls are locked in their coop every night.

http://www.freewebs.com/professorchickenspredators/

 

[Imp]

Quote:
I just did a quick google search of Australian opossums. They are way better looking than our North American one. Sounds like they eat plants. If you know the particular species, you could check for sure.

Imp

 

[5Leepy!]

Quote:
Looks like they will eat eggs...


What Do Possums Eat?
The Common Brushtails are grey or brownish up to 500mm long animals with lighter cream-coloured belly, large ears and - as the name says - a brushy tail. They are omnivores – they eat flowers, fruit, seeds, leaves, but also insects, eggs and sometimes even small birds.

http://www.gondwananet.com/australian-animals-marsupials-possums.html

Edit to add more:

Possums also compete with birds for food. In preference to leaves, they tend to eat flowers, leaf buds, fruit and insects - all of which are critical for healthy bird populations. In addition, possums are known to raid bird nests and eat eggs and chicks. Terrestrial invertebrates (animals without a backbone, such as insects) are also under threat from possums and other predators, both through direct predation and through competition for their food sources (flowers, fruits and leaves).

http://www.pestfreepeninsula.org.nz/?page_id=22

You should probably tighten up security.

Good Luck!

 

[sabianshepherds]

My dogs just killed a possum and her babies a few weeks back. (Well I helped). At first I felt guilty, but thinking about my chicks, not so much now.

 

[harveyhorses]

The Aussie possums are actually kind of cute!