I am SUCH a sucker!!!

[2manyhats]

Quote:
Definately get rabies shot ASAP. It's not worth the chance. Plus, if you are going to keep doing these rescues, you should just have the shots. Rabies is deadly once caught. Be safe. Your local health department will usually administer.

 

[amazondoc]

That possum is much much much less likely to be carrying rabies than any dog you meet on the street. Do you get a rabies shot every time you pat your neighbors' dog??

 

[Jenlyn9483]

I am an animal sucker myself, my father has been a logger all his life and was an avid Hog hunter in his youth, so you never knew what he was going to bring home in his duffle bag or lunch box. We raised Countless wild baby pigs and squirrels of all kinds and even a baby coon once. Just remember that Opossums are notorious for breaking into the chicken coops and stealing eggs. I have had countless attacks on broody hens or new moma hens that ended up in death for moma, chicks and or eggs. If you want to keep him, just remember that you are housing a potential predator for your chickens. Best of luck.

 

[ams3651]

thats why I make my son take care of the animals but we only have rabbits and groundhogs

 

[seminolewind]

I guess I'd be a bit worried about rabies, but I would be alot more concerned about this illness that kills horses and it is spread by possums.

 

[amazondoc]

Quote:
It's called equine protozoal myeloencephalitis. It is true that possums carry this organism. HOWEVER, it is also true that up to 80-90% of NORMAL horses have already been exposed to the disease. Most horses that are exposed never show any symptoms at all.

 

[bluey]

Why do I get the feeling that the baby possum will be in a living room wearing a diaper in two years?

Now, that would definitely be the definition of "sucker".

 

[amazondoc]

I forget who it was, but somebody here on BYC had or has two house-trained possums that go in and out of the house on their request.

I raised baby possums in years past, but mostly for release. After I had left home, though, my mom kept one for several years in an unused bedroom. Not the brightest thing in the world, but not bad.

 

[robinaggie]

That baby 'possum is adorable! Maybe chicken diapers will fit it.

 

[HillCountryMomma]

Thanks for all the replies!

I'll take the concern in the spirit it was given... but with a grain of salt. I don't feel there is any risk to me or my family from the possum.

To the rest... this should proce an interesting little adventure! I'm already rather amazed at possum behavior. It's a rather smart little critter. Cute too. And boy does it have an appetite!

Doc, thanks for the tip on the grapes. Splash (named thusly after it's dive into the tank) had some grapes for breakfast. Ate the soft inside out and left the skins! Also really likes apples, carrots, broccoli, bell peppers and puppy food. Not to mention the puppy milk a few times a day. The kid is going to grow up to be a giant possum.

I'm trying *real* hard to not domesticate it too much. It's already getting used to us though. I'm not sure how to care for one so young without the domesticating effect human contact is bound to have. Ah well. I guess there are worse things than another critter hanging out in the barn eating cat food. As many cats as I have, I won't notice.

Shouldn't be a problem with the chickens (I hope). Eggs are all picked up and broodies are protected.

Would have been fun to raise a baby coon, but the one I caught was more than able to be on its own. It had a LOT of teeth and aside from a moment of desperation (when it reached out begging for escape) was very quick to show me those teeth. Tough little guy! I'm glad it'll be out in the 'wild' and able to continue its life in a safer area (for it and domestic animals).

Now if I could just catch the big coon that's been killing me hens....

Will keep y'all updated! I'll post more pics of Splash in a few weeks.

Thanks again!
Liz