How do I clean a coop after opossum is gone and How do you deal with a Traumatized Chicken?

[Raeja]

The story is an interesting one and a real "edge of your seat" saga. However, I shall cut through the chase and hope someone can help me. My chicken made me aware something was not right. I found blood on the backside of garage and on her 3 gallon waterer and the ground. She did not seem injured. I actually called police because I did not see anything and could not figure it out. Neither did the police but then they took out a flashlight and looked in the dog igloo again and had an opossum looking at her. My neighbor removed the opossum. I cleaned the igloo out, washed the garage, etc. I had Pixie in a large cage in my bathroom until it warmed up (here in Wisconsin). She didn't sleep in the igloo the first night. Last night I had to go in the pen when I got off work a little after midnight and put her in the igloo and hold the flashlight for about 10 minutes. When I got up this morning she was laying under the hut in her pen. Tonite when I got off work a little after midnight, once again she was laying outside near the side that she goes in and out of to wander around my yard. Once again, I picked her up and put her in the igloo and held the flashlight for about 10 minutes. I don't want this to be a habit. I was unable to pressure wash everything because the ground was froze and I did not want an icy pen. I used hot water and a rag to wash blood off back side of garage.
Does anyone have suggestions on what might work until I can pressure wash the igloo and the garage? Thank You

 

[cavemanrich]

I'm still trying to figure out, and visualize the pen, igloo, and do you have a coop. I think I know the type of plastic igloo you have, but is that all you have, and do you only have one chicken???
Post some pix of your setup, and it will be much easier to offer advice.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[aart]

I'm still trying to figure out, and visualize the pen, igloo, and do you have a coop. I think I know the type of plastic igloo you have, but is that all you have, and do you only have one chicken???
Post some pix of your setup, and it will be much easier to offer advice.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Ditto Dat.

@Raeja Washing the blood away is not nearly as important as having a secure enclosure(coop) to protect your bird(s).

 

[Raeja]

I'm still trying to figure out, and visualize the pen, igloo, and do you have a coop. I think I know the type of plastic igloo you have, but is that all you have, and do you only have one chicken???
Post some pix of your setup, and it will be much easier to offer advice.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

I will try to post pics but right now my biggest concern is that the Opossum was actually in the large Dog igloo that Pixie sleeps in. I am not wanting to get in the habit of coming home a little after midnight and having to put her in the igloo and hold a flashlight in the igloo for 10-15 minutes and talk to her while she starts to settle in. Can chickens still smell an Opossum after the bedding has been changed? Obviously too cold to pressure wash the igloo and area right now.

 

[Raeja]

I'm still trying to figure out, and visualize the pen, igloo, and do you have a coop. I think I know the type of plastic igloo you have, but is that all you have, and do you only have one chicken???
Post some pix of your setup, and it will be much easier to offer advice.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

I will try to post pics but right now my biggest concern is that the Opossum was actually in the large Dog igloo that Pixie sleeps in. I am not wanting to get in the habit of coming home a little after midnight and having to put her in the igloo and hold a flashlight in the igloo for 10-15 minutes and talk to her while she starts to settle in. Can chickens still smell an Opossum after the bedding has been changed? Obviously too cold to pressure wash the igloo and area right now.

Ditto Dat.

@Raeja Washing the blood away is not nearly as important as having a secure enclosure(coop) to protect your bird(s).

I live in the city. The pen has the back of the garage wall on one side and on the opposite side is the side of the shed. There is chicken wire on both ends that are "open" and nylon poultry netting over the top of the enclosure. This set-up has been in use now for almost 3 years.

 

[Raeja]

I only have one chicken because the Polish White passed away in March 2019. I replaced her with Pixie a Rhode Island Red, so Bubbles (in pic) would have a companion. Unfortunately, Bubbles was stolen just before the snow the end of October and we never got her back. So yes, I only have one right now. I am debating if I will get another friend or 2 for Pixie or if I am going to call it quits because I live by the bars in a college town. I am more worried about human predators' than other animals.

There is a "hut" as we call it. It use to be used for my daughter's rabbits. It is enclosed on 3 sides and fencing on the front with a walk up ramp. It was purchased from Farm and Fleet. That is where they lay their eggs and sometimes just hang out and the Dog igloo is where they sleep.

 

[aart]

This set-up has been in use now for almost 3 years.

Might need some repair, the opossum got in there somehow

Can chickens still smell an Opossum after the bedding has been changed?

Ehhh, I don't think so, but if that's where the attack happened it will take time for the remaining bird to get used to it again....right now it seems 'unsafe' to her.

I am more worried about human predators' than other animals.

Padlocks.

 

[cavemanrich]

I am more worried about human predators' than other animals.


Padlocks.

Hot Wire will discourage Opossums, and probably 2 legged as well.

 

[WthrLady]

I will try to post pics but right now my biggest concern is that the Opossum was actually in the large Dog igloo that Pixie sleeps in. I am not wanting to get in the habit of coming home a little after midnight and having to put her in the igloo and hold a flashlight in the igloo for 10-15 minutes and talk to her while she starts to settle in. Can chickens still smell an Opossum after the bedding has been changed? Obviously too cold to pressure wash the igloo and area right now.

You can take the igloo to one of those wash your own car places. That's what I do to my cages in the winter (chicken spas). As for smelling no, but does she have a perch in there? She still might be afraid of something being IN there, even though it's not.

 

[Scrambles55]

And get her a pen pal or two. Chickens don’t do well alone. They also need something to perch on.