Help! Opossum in Nesting Box!

[Chickens4Life101]

I went out to collect the eggs and I found a GIANT opossum in on of our nesting boxes. He ate all of our eggs too. It was almost dark and the chickens were panicking and they wouldn't go into their coop. We called our neighbor who took care of him, but what should I do if this happens in the future? We have a batam and we are getting 5 more in a couple of weeks, and that opossum easily could've eaten her. Any tips on how to keep these pests out? Also, I have seen it wandering around their coop for a couple of weeks, and something seems to be attracting it, does anyone have any tips??

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

Use hardwire cloth around the coop. Do you keep the coop open all night? If so close them in at night. Set a havahart trap out and put some cat food in it to see if you catch another one.

 

[Chickens4Life101]

Use hardwire cloth around the coop. Do you keep the coop open all night? If so close them in at night. Set a havahart trap out and put some cat food in it to see if you catch another one.

We do not keep our coop open all night. But the door is open during the day. And we will definitely try the trap! Thanks!

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

No problem. Opossums move from dusk til dawn so there is plenty of time that they move around.

 

[cmom]

Do you have a picture of your coop? How secure is it? I have seen possums on my property too but none have breached the coops or pens. Many years ago I had a possum dig under a fence and kill a bird. It made a mistake and came back, I was ready for it. If it has found a way into your coop, most likely it will be back.

 

[cmom]

I have caught a possum in a live trap. Currently I'm after a coyote.

 

[llombardo]

I have caught a possum in a live trap. Currently I'm after a coyote.

I was just reading about coyotes. Did you know that if it's a male and you kill it, the females automatically go into heat(attracting another male) and end up having a whole litter each? So killing one male can potentially cause up to 20 more being born(if there are 3-4 females left behind). I found it amazing and makes sense that in my area pups are born and heard all year round.

 

[OhZark Biddies]

I was just reading about coyotes. Did you know that if it's a male and you kill it, the females automatically go into heat(attracting another male) and end up having a whole litter each? So killing one male can potentially cause up to 20 more being born(if there are 3-4 females left behind). I found it amazing and makes sense that in my area pups are born and heard all year round.

Were you reading a book by Dan Flores by chance?

 

[Aunt Angus]

Opossum don't stay put long (that's been my experience, anyway). I have worried about them getting in when the girls are free ranging and then laying low or sleeping until they go in to roost at night. It could be your chickens are attracting it. The trap will help if there are any left in the area. But I wonder if you will see another now that the one was taken care of. They are pretty solitary, as I understand it.

 

[cmom]

They like rat bait and are immune to it.