HELP! Possum in coop

[farmer macdonald123]

if you can take a picture of it y don't you just shoot it

 

[mominoz]

When we used to have chickens about 10 years ago, we caught 3 possums in the coop, which was on stilts in a 5 foot fence , they would climb it I guess (we had heavy logs around the bottom, and eat the chickens necks out. We finally got around to shooting them, had holes int he coop to prove it. We lived near "possum creek" if that tells you anything. They were road kill all over because there were no predators , too close to Atlanta.
That said , I had a horse get EPM, and possums are a carrier for the parasite that causes it ,and is shed in its feces and urine. I used to be a softie about killing--till I saw my beloved horse have neurological symptoms , he finally recovered, (only 30% do compleltely, 30% with neurological damgae and 30% get put down . )

So if you have horses, the last thing you want is possums around.
I now grit my teeth and aim for them with my truck......

 

[geepster]

I catch coons and possums in live traps around my birds all the time and I dispose of them quick and properly. My father on the other hand would just assume relocate them; but in theory all he is doing is taking the problem to some-one elses backdoor or chicken coop. So until I see coons or possums on the endangered species list I will continue to eradicate them from my property. Doesn't matter how many I eliminate, it's just a matter of time until more wander into the area. Coons are everywhere because the price of fur is not worth anything.

 

[mhaines4102]

I agree. Don't make it someone else's problem. I don't know where you all are, but within a couple of miles of me I know at least 8 homes with chickens. Possums will kill your chickens and often kill your roo as it is trying to protect your hens. No one worries about relocating viruses, or bacteria. Preditors have fur and people in movies personify them. They are varments, plentiful and hungry. I know it isn't their fault, but I don't care. It's not Ebola's fault it kills people, but I don't see anyone wanting to catch and release that critter.

 

[CATRAY44]

Quote:
That is a great point!!!