I imagine it will be a surprise to some to see me post in this area, but none more surprised than I. I ususlly encourage predator proofing to the max. There's no such thing.
About an hour ago, I was thinking of bedtime, but the #1 pen/coop where the Ameruacanas and green egg Cuckoos are, was noisy. Grabbed a flashlight and went out on the porch. Sure enough, noisy bunch. Went back in for a bigger flash and my trusty pepper spray, then went to the coop. The door of the coop is a bit sticky right now from all the mud the hens have pushed up against it, so not totally latched.
Some of the chooks were out in the pen, very unusual thing. Noticed one was bleeding so in I went. Opened the coop the rest of the way and out came a couple more in a panic. I stepped in and saw an opossum taking a leisurely tour under the roost. Backed him in the corner and went for the pepper spray. Which didn't work, probably because the stinkin' canister is so old. I grabbed the hard garden rake and tried to shove, push, pull or drag the the (BLEEP) out, but no go.
I ran back to the house, yelled at DH to get up, I need help, and grabbed the pistol I keep hidden in the front of the house, an S & W .38 Special (big ole 6 shooter I got in TX). I haven't shot that gun in 10 years. And this thing is a bruiser. Very front end heavy.
Ran back out, tried the rake and shove again, but he wasn't going to give up. So I shot the (BLEEP), inside the coop. Missed. Shot again. Got him, but he was still moving. Can't let him suffer, so I did a head shot to end the misery. Went back in and DH was just coming out of the bedroom, blinking. He's at 60 hours of work so far this week, so that's okay.
Did the shake and cry, grabbed a beer and went back out. Shoveled the possum out, (he was a big one) and tried to settle the chickens. I know several are wounded, but there's nothing I can do this late at night. Two missing. Tomorrow morning is going to be busy.
Couple things I have learned tonight -
My ears are tuned to unusual chicken noises, neither of the dogs alerted. Yet a hummingbird is cause for great alarm.
I have done Wildlife Rescue for many years, including many opossums. Yet when my pets are threatened, I will take them out. I hated to do it.
Pepper spray canisters have an expiration date. Mine is labeled Pepper Mace Defense Spray, exp. May 2011. But the trigger doesn't work! Therefore, the spray is useless.
The possum got in through a very secure wire and corrugated sheet metal roof. There's no such thing as a 100% secure run, especially when the coop door is compromised by the weather.
Try not to shoot in an enclosed area.
Shoot steady, get the shakes and feel sorrow for taking a life later.
So tomorrow, I doctor my remaining chickens, look for the missing two hens and bury a possum. I sure hope my hearing in my right ear comes back soon.
About an hour ago, I was thinking of bedtime, but the #1 pen/coop where the Ameruacanas and green egg Cuckoos are, was noisy. Grabbed a flashlight and went out on the porch. Sure enough, noisy bunch. Went back in for a bigger flash and my trusty pepper spray, then went to the coop. The door of the coop is a bit sticky right now from all the mud the hens have pushed up against it, so not totally latched.
Some of the chooks were out in the pen, very unusual thing. Noticed one was bleeding so in I went. Opened the coop the rest of the way and out came a couple more in a panic. I stepped in and saw an opossum taking a leisurely tour under the roost. Backed him in the corner and went for the pepper spray. Which didn't work, probably because the stinkin' canister is so old. I grabbed the hard garden rake and tried to shove, push, pull or drag the the (BLEEP) out, but no go.
I ran back to the house, yelled at DH to get up, I need help, and grabbed the pistol I keep hidden in the front of the house, an S & W .38 Special (big ole 6 shooter I got in TX). I haven't shot that gun in 10 years. And this thing is a bruiser. Very front end heavy.
Ran back out, tried the rake and shove again, but he wasn't going to give up. So I shot the (BLEEP), inside the coop. Missed. Shot again. Got him, but he was still moving. Can't let him suffer, so I did a head shot to end the misery. Went back in and DH was just coming out of the bedroom, blinking. He's at 60 hours of work so far this week, so that's okay.
Did the shake and cry, grabbed a beer and went back out. Shoveled the possum out, (he was a big one) and tried to settle the chickens. I know several are wounded, but there's nothing I can do this late at night. Two missing. Tomorrow morning is going to be busy.
Couple things I have learned tonight -
My ears are tuned to unusual chicken noises, neither of the dogs alerted. Yet a hummingbird is cause for great alarm.
I have done Wildlife Rescue for many years, including many opossums. Yet when my pets are threatened, I will take them out. I hated to do it.
Pepper spray canisters have an expiration date. Mine is labeled Pepper Mace Defense Spray, exp. May 2011. But the trigger doesn't work! Therefore, the spray is useless.
The possum got in through a very secure wire and corrugated sheet metal roof. There's no such thing as a 100% secure run, especially when the coop door is compromised by the weather.
Try not to shoot in an enclosed area.
Shoot steady, get the shakes and feel sorrow for taking a life later.
So tomorrow, I doctor my remaining chickens, look for the missing two hens and bury a possum. I sure hope my hearing in my right ear comes back soon.
