Opossum attack

[McChooky]

Feed the possum some lead. They carry nasty viruses along with coons. My veterinarian always says a dead possum is a good possum.

Possums are being used in to create a new anti-venom for people bitten by venomous snakes. They're better at rodent control than a snake

 

[MClean417]

If it's a repeat offender, get a trap and dispatch it. They love sardines. So do Raccoons so you could just be advertising. Relocating, up to you but I don't appreciate it when a stray dog or cat ends up at my house and I LIKE dogs n cats.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Feed the possum some lead. They carry nasty viruses along with coons. My veterinarian always says a dead possum is a good possum.

One virus they generally don't carry is rabies, though. Or so I hsve read.

 

[McChooky]

Not to be Debby Downer but if you're not locking them up in a coop at night, expect a real incident... That said, glad it was a false alarm!

My neighbor let his chickens roost wherever they wanted and left feed out. His place looked like a state park at night lol

 

[Folly's place]

Cats need to eat meals, and pet food will attract so many critters who shouldn't be attracted! Opossums, rats, raccoons, and skunks come to mind...
Fix the food situation, and you won't need to trap any of them. If you do trap, then shoot, don't relocate. In many states, relocating such critters is illegal, for good reasons.
Opossums are relatively resistant to developing rabies, but it does occur sometimes. And they carry a parasite that's fatal or very debilitating for horses. The opossums are NOT welcome at our coop or barn!
Mary

 

[countryladyNH]

For now we will be keeping the garage door closed at night, we left it up a foot for ventilation and so cats can come in/out without going into the front yard where the dogs are. No, the dogs won’t hurt them, but will get in and eat all the cat food.
When I get home this weekend we will set a catch and release trap out to relocate it into the woods.
Don’t want to kill it , unless it continues to go after the Ladies.

DO NOT "RELOCATE IT TO THE WOODS" or anywhere else. That will not keep it from coming back or becoming someone else's problem. We shoot predators that we trap in order to keep our flock safe. No one like to do it, but you have to be responsible. You owe it to your flock!

 

[Almosta Farm]

I occasionally have possums that come into my run at night to eat chicken feed. Have never had one attack a chicken and I don't leave eggs out. I trap and then release in a 500 acre nature park about 10 miles from me with a lot of resources for wildlife. They usually stay within a 30 acre area, but have been known to travel 300 acres, so if there are enough resources, they don't go far. I've never had one come back. But they have kin! LOL The easiest way would be keeping your cats in at night and closing your garage door all the way. There are predators that appreciate cats as snacks also. Mine are allowed to roam during the day, but all are in at night. Good choice for all pets concerned.

 

[Folly's place]

Here in Michigan it's legal to release critters on the same property, or on private land within the same county with landowner permission. NOT on public land or anywhere else.
Don't know about NC, have you looked it up?
Mary

 

[Almosta Farm]

Here in Michigan it's legal to release critters on the same property, or on private land within the same county with landowner permission. NOT on public land or anywhere else.
Don't know about NC, have you looked it up?
Mary

Yes, they can be released in unpopulated areas with the landowner's permission. I checked with one of the park rangers who got it approved with the county commision. That is a good point though, for people to check local laws.

 

[McChooky]

We've had 2 cats attacked that barely escaped recently.Ones got a bald spot on her right hip where something attacked her .