Are possums dangerous to chickens?

[Abriana]

the other night I was looking out my window and I see a big fat possum walking through my yard. I don’t know how long it’s been living in my yard, but is it a danger to my chickens?

 

[sourland]

Given the opportunity, they will kill chickens.

 

[twilightgecko]

yes, but since possums are nocturnal, keep a secure coop at night

 

[Abriana]

yes, but since possums are nocturnal, keep a secure coop at night

I always try to lock up right at dusk, but sometimes i am away from home late. Would my electric fence stop it? I am pretty worried about my chickens. Could anyone suggest a good trap for possums that I could catch it in but then not injure it and release it somewhere? Or would it come back do you think?

 

[Mary's Backyard Chickens]

I always try to lock up right at dusk, but sometimes i am away from home late. Would my electric fence stop it? I am pretty worried about my chickens. Could anyone suggest a good trap for possums that I could catch it in but then not injure it and release it somewhere? Or would it come back do you think?

If you trap it and release it somewhere else, it'll know a meal's there and will come back.

I would recommend the electric fence over the trap. That will protect them.

 

[lazy gardener]

You would have to release it a long ways away in order for it to not return. And if you release it in an area where it can walk to some one else's yard, you are merely transferring a likely predator so it can become some one else's problem. Best to leave it where it is, if you are not willing to provide a permanent solution.

 

[Abriana]

Thanks for all the info! I am going to try to think of a solution, and keep the fence on at all times, and lock up when I can right at dusk!

 

[Molpet]

most places it is illegal to release, except on property you have permission... I live next to a forest preserve and people release predators they catch in my side yard drive. I call the police all the time and have several court cases pending...
The released animals do not know where to find food and the animals that live there do not want to share.. so they are in bad shape by the time they brave my dog and try for chicken.. you are not doing the animal any favors by dumping them some place strange.. and you may be causing problems for someone else.

 

[PetesChicks]

The electric fence should help, just make sure that the possum can't get over it using a tree.

As far as trapping, Hav-a-Heart would work, but you should do the right thing and dispose of it after you trap it. Relocating is illegal in most places, and inhumane. It would be putting the possum in a strange place, where it wouldn't know where food sources or water are, and also in direct competition with the animals that already live there.

 

[Kiki]

fwiw I have seen with my own eyes a opossum break into a coop and kill chickens during the day.