I opened up the nest box and....

[islandchick]

There was a beady eyed possum staring back at me!!! This was about 9am this morning and it looked very much at home. I thought is was a baby possum because it was fairly small...smaller than my chickens, but my husband thinks small full grown possum...maybe they are just smaller than I thought. Anyway, he "took care of it" and I want to know how dangerous this critter could be?? I have a coop with a screen room around it and bird netting on top. I close the screen room door everynight (but often after dark) but not the coop door figuring nothing that big can get in. The possum probably climbed down a tree, I've seen a couple of squirrels and birds get inside before, or...came in before I closed the screen room door and maybe couldn't get out??? My birds seem totally fine, oblivious. Should I set traps? Could they only harm baby chicks? Mine are 23 weeks old. We "free range" our 4 hens during the day, our yard is surrounded by 6 foot fencing. Possums and racoons are the only preditors that we have seen on the island. Thanks for your help.

 

[nccountrygirl]

A possum will if given a good chance kill every one of your birds. Go to the Index and find pest and predator and read some on possums killing chickens( scary reading)

 

[Chelly]

Sheesh - that would have made me SCREAM like a girl!

 

[silkhope]

LOL Chelly, I would have had to change my pants.

My lab just brought me a possum Saturday that he killed, nasty critter, he laid it down and just sat there wagging his tail like "here mama!!" I worry about them climbing into the run too, mine is only covered with bird netting and I don't think it would deter them.

Ashley

 

[ivan3]

Yes, they will do in standard chickens. Yes, pick up a couple of live traps and keep them set (have had poss go into unbaited live traps). Had a skinny boar skedaddle up six ft. welded wire fence (about 30min. after sunrise) and the roo lost his tail in the skirmish (poss retired from target pool). It had been very dry here and though we keep three traps set, this wanderer saw chicken dinner and looked to have an order served up.

`possum-tailed roo:

Frankly, I'd be more concerned with prepping for the raccoons.

 

[SpottedCrow]

There was a possum walking down the sidewalk of my street one night when I was on my way home from work...I thought it was a guinea pig(?) and couldn't figure out why one of those would be out loose...d'oh...
He wasn't too happy to be pinpointed with highbeams fer shur...
It was about the size of a full grown guinea pig.
And they will take your birds. they're more likely to go after banties or chicks or eggs than adult standards.

 

[mdbucks]

Quote:
ME TOO!!!

 

[Chelly]

 

[ivan3]

He wasn't too happy to be pinpointed with highbeams fer shur...

I used to feel pity for them (not that they need it - having about 100mill. year lead on us), i.e., short-lived, only marsupial on the NAC, yada, yada.

They tend to spin around in front of the headlights, becoming so confused that I would have time to stop the car, walk around front and kick the buggers into the ditch.

My aunt, in GA., told me enough stories about having to sew up the craws of several of her hens that were `possed' that they'll have to rely on their good breeding and not my sympathy.

Marsupial cavvies?​

 

[silkiechicken]

Baby possums are from small rat sized to city rat sized. I've seen adult possums the size of my cat.