Are possums dangerous to chickens?

[Abriana]

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.

You’re right, most people around me have chickens and I don’t want anyone’s birds getting eaten!

 

[Ursuline Chick]

Yes, they eat chickens, we put a hav-a-hart trap out every night and get two or three a month. And we live in the city

 

[The Angry Hen]

To answer your question, indeed. Sadly I've known folks who have had incidents with Opossum VS. Chicken. I have seen them on my property and I continue to do away with them... AKA shooting them to their misery. Although they need at least 9 shots from a pellet gun alone. If you prefer not to do this, I understand trapping. But I certainly would not suggest them being left alone... They are mostly prone to decapitating. Either trap 'em and bring 'em to a lake to drown......Or set them free somewhere far. All I'll say is that they are not nice creatures. Hope this helps you. Best of luck!

 

[Abriana]

I think I’m going to trap and dispose of it, thanks for all the help and advice. Hav-a-hart sounds like a good idea. I have been researching and some people said they’ve had possums and chickens living together for years and had no problems.

 

[1cock2hens]

I suspect the only time i ever lost a chicken was to an opossum. I used my dogs to kill three the week after my chicken was killed

 

[pennyJo1960]

I think I’m going to trap and dispose of it, thanks for all the help and advice. Hav-a-hart sounds like a good idea. I have been researching and some people said they’ve had possums and chickens living together for years and had no problems.

not sure I would believe they could cohabitant but know they will kill a entire flock if not done away with

 

[Abriana]

After hearing all this I am definitely getting rid of it!

 

[Lazy Farmer]

Given the opportunity, they will kill chickens.

x2

 

[Ursuline Chick]

Possums are like rats and mice, if their head fits into a space they can get in. The young ones can into some very small spaces. Good Luck, you can place your kitchen scrapes after dinner in the trap as bait. Including chicken bones.

 

[Hope Hughes]

We had one picking them off thr roost one by one... only killed one thankfully, but still sad... it broke its neck then started dragging it... it was huge.. it started to charge my husband so he had to shoot it.
It was dark out, but they still can hunt in the day if they know its an easy meal. ​