Dealing with a possum

[James Gielow]

Hello all. For the last several months I've been getting a bunch of broken egg shells in my laying box. I thought it was one of my hens for a long time. I even increased the calcium levels in case they were wanting more.

It turns out that a possum has been visiting nightly to snatch my eggs. Then the other day one of my smaller black polish hens was killed. Headless but her crop was intact. Her backside was also eaten at and an egg removed and consumed. This was my first loss in my four years of raising chickens. She was a jerk anyways, so I'm not too crushed, just concerned enough to install a camera and see what's been going on. That's when I saw the possum.

So, I'm setting up a live trap to catch the bastard. I'm not convinced that the possum killed the hen as it looks like it happened during the day. And in all these months, it's just been after eggs and leaves the girls alone. Regardless I want my eggs and he's got to go.

But what do I do with the poor thing once I've caught it? I don't want to kill it as it's done nothing wrong and is just being true to its nature. So, what do I do that's legal and ethical?

 

[James Gielow]

Here's the video of him or her leaving last night. So cute. And rude.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bl2HIcWBDPg/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=9ac3ubmyger7

 

[bobbi-j]

If you’re not going to kill it, don’t bother trapping it. Work on beefing up your coop instead, and pick your eggs at least once daily - before dark for sure. Remove that temptation and make sure it can’t get to your hens.

 

[ashlierami]

Hello all. For the last several months I've been getting a bunch of broken egg shells in my laying box. I thought it was one of my hens for a long time. I even increased the calcium levels in case they were wanting more.

It turns out that a possum has been visiting nightly to snatch my eggs. Then the other day one of my smaller black polish hens was killed. Headless but her crop was intact. Her backside was also eaten at and an egg removed and consumed. This was my first loss in my four years of raising chickens. She was a jerk anyways, so I'm not too crushed, just concerned enough to install a camera and see what's been going on. That's when I saw the possum.

So, I'm setting up a live trap to catch the bastard. I'm not convinced that the possum killed the hen as it looks like it happened during the day. And in all these months, it's just been after eggs and leaves the girls alone. Regardless I want my eggs and he's got to go.

But what do I do with the poor thing once I've caught it? I don't want to kill it as it's done nothing wrong and is just being true to its nature. So, what do I do that's legal and ethical?

You could release it but you would need to check with your local laws and ordinances to see if that's allowed where you are. There's specific guidelines dealing with how far to take it and such. The cons of this is it will make the animal more hesitant to enter a trap again therefore can't be caught if it's a nuisance to someone else. Also I always worry about what if where I release it is close to someone else who has chickens. I wouldn't want that done to me.

 

[redblack10]

I am so sorry you lost a hen, but I'm glad you caught the culprit. I found two of my 2-month-olds just tonight - white marans and salmon faverolles - dead with heads missing. One was at the far end of the run and one was in the coop. Both were cold, so it happened before dark. I am so sad.

 

[cmom]

You could release it but you would need to check with your local laws and ordinances to see if that's allowed where you are. There's specific guidelines dealing with how far to take it and such. The cons of this is it will make the animal more hesitant to enter a trap again therefore can't be caught if it's a nuisance to someone else. Also I always worry about what if where I release it is close to someone else who has chickens. I wouldn't want that done to me.

I agree. I live in a rural area and have had critters released in my area. If the chicken owner can't kill the possum then they need to find ways to reinforce their coop so the possum can't penetrate it. A local wildlife officer told me awhile back that I could shoot them as they are not endangered and if they are killing my (livestock) chickens. I have caught several in live traps. I still see them often on my game cameras. a couple of times if I went out to the garage or barn I have almost tripped over some.

 

[bobbi-j]

I'm lucky enough to have a dog that patrols at night. His count so far this summer is 3 coons and a possum.

 

[1cock2hens]

what state are you in? some states its illegal to relocate. in all states it's irresponsible the missouri dept of conservation website says

"After you trap a damage-causing animal, you must dispose of it properly. Although relocation may seem like a good idea, we do not recommend it. Moving an animal can spread disease. Also, a strange animal coming into an established local population of the same species (a strange, disoriented squirrel coming into an established community of squirrels, for example) can upset the local group’s social order and possibly its health. Further, a relocated animal does not know where to find food or other resources and may likely starve to death. Finally, moving the animal might simply create a problem for someone else at the new location. You should also know that most federal, state, and local agencies prohibit the release of wildlife on lands they own or manage (including Department properties). For these reasons, we recommend killing the animal."

I would just start collecting eggs nightly and figure out how it s getting in and fix the problem if you arent willing to kill it.

 

[Thechickentrainer1999]

Opossums can be very deadly in a coop and can kill several chickens and I have even seen one in the day before. near the coop. I would recommend traping him and hauling him off to another wooded place, while also making the coop stronger. GOD bless. Praying for you. Sorry for your loss. GOD (YHVH) is by your side. ❤

 

[BReeder!]

Frankly I keep a pellet gun on hand for possums. I have live trapped before, but they get very aggressive when caged IME. A hollow tipped pellet and a shovel gets the job done. Either the possum or my hens and dogs. My Olde English Bulldogge took down one small possum, but I fear that a bigger possum could pose some damage even to him. I have seen them bigger than house cats around the area I am in, and it's a fairly residential area.