found out the hard way

Hi!
I was in the emergency room with my husband Bryan Tues. We were there for 4 1/2 hours!!!!.
Anyway, between worrying about him and Athena, my cat who has chronic renal failure, I didn't get much sleep Tues. night. I was still up at midnight. I'm not sure exactly what time I fell asleep, but around 4:00 I woke up. I thought I had dreamed I heard one of my chickens squawking and running across the backyard. It seemed so real I decided to check it out. I turned on all the outside lights, went downstairs, and went up to their run. The gate was open about two feet, and I had closed it. I closed it again and went around to go in the coop.
When I turned on the light here was a big fat possum eating one of my baby chicks. Henrietta and Cleo, the "mothers", were nowhere to be seen, and they had been in the nestboxes. I screamed at the possum to get out. I swear if I would have had something I would have killed it, which is not like me 'cause I LOVE wildlife. I went out to go into the run again, 'cause I could hear the possum banging against the fence trying to get out. That's when I spotted Cleo, my sweet black Cochin. She was huddled in the corner behind the shed. The possum had bitten off some of her comb. I picked her up and put her back in the coop. As soon as I did, a little baby chick came running out. At least I have one, I thought. So HENRIETTA had pushed that gate open in her frantic state, trying to get out. And let me tell you, that had to have been hard, 'cause that gate closes hard. I knew I could never find her in the dark, so I came back in and went back to bed. Shoulda stayed up, 'cause I was so upset I couldn't sleep anyway. Around 6:00 I heard Henrietta in the yard, so I went down and picked her up and put her back in the coop. When I did that, I saw there were two chicks! So at least I have two. I think I have a hen and a roo. Anyway, the possum had bitten the head off the one, and mangled the other one. I feel so irresponsible though. I had been leaving the little chicken doors open 'cause it has been so hot, and I wanted to let some air circulate. It's been near 100 degrees here. GRRRRRR!!!!!!! I am SO glad I went up and checked, and that I had my window cracked open a bit. Who knows what I might have found the next morning? Anyway, I have had a couple of exciting days that I would rather not have had.

Jen

 

Quote:UPDATE: No eggs since the attack Anyone know how long 'til they start laying again?

Thanks!
Jen