Opened the coop door today and the chickens decided to venture out in the snow covered run. I then ran some errands that took a few hours. I come back and check on the hens. Some were in the coop and the rest were outside. Look in the coop and find the young opossum. It ran outside and disappeared. So I go in the coop and there is another one eating from the feeder...with a hen right next to it. Like 2 pals sharing a lunch break.
It sees me and runs to a corner of the coop. Trapped!
Then it flops over and plays possum like they do. I picked him up and took it outside. Just a small critter, it was curled up in my hand. No hissing, no sign of defense or aggression. It was calm as can be. I pet him for a bit and he just walks away.
I know some people would be freaking out over a predator in the coop. I just enjoyed the encounter with a wild animal. I figure if the hens aren't bothered by these little opossums then I shouldn't be either. Both of them are quite small. They must be this year's litter.
As long as they aren't damaging anything they can stay. I think we can co-exist for the winter.
It sees me and runs to a corner of the coop. Trapped!
Then it flops over and plays possum like they do. I picked him up and took it outside. Just a small critter, it was curled up in my hand. No hissing, no sign of defense or aggression. It was calm as can be. I pet him for a bit and he just walks away.
I know some people would be freaking out over a predator in the coop. I just enjoyed the encounter with a wild animal. I figure if the hens aren't bothered by these little opossums then I shouldn't be either. Both of them are quite small. They must be this year's litter.
As long as they aren't damaging anything they can stay. I think we can co-exist for the winter.
SMH.
