I almost shot a possum

[Sobek]

I usually bring the chickens in at night but knowing I was going to be out all day I left them outside and told my sister that we needed to be back by 6 no later than 7 because it would get dark by then. I religiously bring them in when it starts to get dark.... We were visiting my brother in the hospital and come night time I kept telling my sister we needed to leave over and over. Her response was "Chill out your chickens will be okay" she just lackadaisically just sat around not really in any hurry despite my pleading and constant nagging about getting back to the chickens. She just kept saying "okay" I got home and found two chickens missing and a bunch of feathers everywhere so I went to look around and saw a possum looking thing.... I was so emotionally unstable at that point I almost grabbed my pistol inside and shot the thing but... I knew it would cause more problems with the neighborhood and what not so I grabbed the shovel. It ran off somewhere but I had it cornered.. I would have hunted it down had I not heard my chickens crying when they realized I was there trying to fight it. So I dropped the shovel and ran to them.... I freaked out on my sister who lives next door. It amazes me how people can be so heartless even though I clearly explained to her before hand about the danger of leaving them out. They're okay during the day because they have lots of cover from birds and so on but at night they're not too smart about the places they can go to hide. I put them up now but they're a little shaky and just seem to be relieved they're with me now inside. It's so irritating my sister is so heartless with animals and doesn't care about them the slightest bit. She agreed to get us home before dark then goes back on her word saying they'll be "alright" Those chickens mean the absolute world to me. I should have asked my mom to get them for me but because it's been such a crazy week with my brother in the hospital I didn't want to bother anyone. I'm glad I got home when I did... Had it been any later maybe they would have gotten hurt... They don't seem to have any physical injures that I can see... I don't see blood or anything just a bunch of feathers everywhere. I'm always very careful with them and protective. I rarely ever leave them outside even during the day by themselves... but this just reassures me that they're safety can't be taken lightly even for a few hours

 

[Raenh]

And that is exactly how my family acts in regards to my ducks, too... I'm glad you made it home in time.

I finally got my mom to start turning the back porch light on at night to help deter predators and to leave skye out with them if they are still in the pen.

 

[RenoHuskerDu]

I woulda killed it. But possums aren't too smart, so it probably won't be back. Next time, you and your sister should drive your own pickups.

 

[llombardo]

People that don't own chickens/ducks don't have a clue. The threat is real for these guys. I plan everything around them.

 

[asphaltwarrior1]

We just brought our babies home today and I've already got my alarm set to go off every two hours so I can check on them. I feel already like a father to them .

 

[Sobek]

People that don't own chickens/ducks don't have a clue. The threat is real for these guys. I plan everything around them.

I told her a million times... Before we left I explained to her WHY it was dangerous and that it for sure 100% WOULD happen... And everyone acts like "Oh it won't happen this time you're over reacting"

Honestly not to make light of the situation because I was crying hysterically... but IF YOU like the taste of chicken do you think an animal would turn down a free chicken? It's like she and the rest of my family are so blind. I've NEVER had to worry about predators because I always take very cautious measures. Even during the day I patrol around frequently to keep any that may be watching away. I love my girls to death and I never want them to feel like I'm not there to protect them. But I sort of feel like when they heard me yelling at that possum who was so scared by my unbridled rage they knew I was trying to protect them and they started to cry out to me. I thought it had killed them at that point so I was freaking out... When I saw it I started yelling at it and tried to attack it while it was under the deck. It just looked at me with this dumbfounded look... It's almost like the animal had it's own facial expression of like a dumb criminal startled when the cops show up

 

[pennyJo1960]

I am so sorry you should have shot it it will be back you know start going out with the gun please

 

[llombardo]

We just brought our babies home today and I've already got my alarm set to go off every two hours so I can check on them. I feel already like a father to them .

I was a nervous wreck when I put them outside. I finally had to put up an electric fence because I do have a family of raccoons and Opposums living 20 ft away and they are always in the trees. I didn't sleep well at all. I still sleep with the window slightly open(it's 20 degrees now) and I keep the door open so my dogs(mainly my german shepherd) can go in and out. My male GSD keeps the raccoons and oppossum on the other side. When they try coming down the tree he jumps at the fence and they scoot right back up. The only time I feel completely ok is when the electric fence is on and he is outside.

 

[Sobek]

Update ladies and gentlemen. I'm going midnight possum hunting

 

[Sobek]

I am so sorry you should have shot it it will be back you know start going out with the gun please

If I didn't sell my .22 I would have for sure shot it... but since it was a self defence 9mm round I was concerned with the noise it would make... My neighbors already came outside to inquire why I was yelling and screaming... I'm going to put a trap outside for it