how to make sure your coop os protected from posums

[bosoxbratt]

Good morning everyone
We are getting really close to putting our girls in the coop and I wanted to make sure it is secure so nothing can get inside
Hubby has done a fantastic job and it looks like it is totally secure but wanted to make sure as last night we opened up our door to the side of our house and there was a HUGE Possum :-( Hubby said there is no way it can get inside our coop but I want to make sure so if there are any ideas tips or info you may have to share please do ..just to give us the one over before the girls are out there .

Can they break into chicken wire or break it with their teeth? and also the hardware cloth? I have been told NO but want to verify that by people who have alot of knowledge for Chickens
TY

 

[ranchhand]

Best bet is firmly attached hardware cloth. Chicken wire won't do more than slow it down. Technically, chicken wire is for keeping chickens in, not predators out.
Don't forget they can climb really well!

Good luck, I thought I had built the Ft. Knox of coop/run, until a possum got in and attacked the chickens. I had to shoot it,

 

[patandchickens]

Possums, raccoons, dogs etc can rip chickenwire apart pretty easily. Don't use it.

You want galvanized 1/2" hardwarecloth anywhere that chickens can be right nearby, and either that or something like 1x1 welded wire (heavy gauge) elsewhere.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat