Opossum got my broody...=*(

[cmom]

Sunny_Side_Up, Sorry sbout you loss. I'm glad you got the bugger.

 

[Pinky]

Im sorry about your loss.I bet she put up a fight for those eggs.Im glad you got the predator.You have a rooster?

We have a bad ant problem around here.The last eggs one of our hens were trying to hatch were infested with ants as the chicks were breaking out the shells.We use grits to keep the ant poulation down.The only problem is keeping the chickens from eating them before the ants can.It is suppose to work the same way yellow corn meal works.

 

[Buckaroo]

Sorry for your loss!!

Watch them possems playing dead, they can fool you. When I was younger and trapping, I got one in my trap. I thought I had killed him, strapped it on my bike rack that I made just behind my seat. I was heading home still dark early in the morning when I felt something poke me in the back. I realized my prize was alive, I bailed off, and the bike and the possem went on without me. I finally got him to the co op, and the fur buyer killed him for me. I learned these burgers are tuff, and not always dead as they may seem.

 

[Wildsky]

Quote:
Rooster red.


that said, sorry for your loss, dang sneaky beast!

 

[Verboten]

Sunny_Side_Up - I am sorry for your loss and applaud your response.

WOW! Rooster-Red! I think there would have been a lot of holes in my porch and railing - It’s not that I don’t like my porch, but I don‘t think I could have taken the chance of Possum Kong escaping, breeding and putting an end to all mankind. Nice pics and I agree with the statement about manhood.

On another note- I am not an expert but from my limited reading I do not believe that they are native to Minnesota. They have used food, water, and shelter brought by humans to spread their range fairly rapidly northward - I would consider this the same as them being ‘introduced’.

I have also heard that drowning is not a bad way to go. - of course it certainly would not make my top 50.

 

[maco5]

Sunny side up, I am not condeming defending livestock.
I just think Opossums get a bad rap sometimes.
just my opinion, and again, if they are killing chickens, then of course they must be dealt with.

I used to raise rabbits in the early 80'S for show.
They were in cages that were attached to the wooden shed in the backyard.
Over the course of about 6 months to a year, I was losing them to the neighbors pitbulls.
If the rabbits were lucky they would die.
The unfortunate ones were severely maimed.
I could never catch the dogs in the act, but knew it was them because I would see them running around the neighborhood, and since they were white, I could see the blood on them.
Long long story short, eventually the dogs were gone after I did finally catch them!
So I know the horrors of losing beloved animals, and have nothing but sympathy for all who have lost theirs.

I hope it never happens to me again.
When I built my coop and run I did it with the predators in mind, but I know they will find a way!!!

 

[Sunny Side Up]

I have several roosters and none of them made a move towards or a sound at the opossum. They were perched on the fence when I went out, mumbling "don't bother me, I'm trying to get back to sleep." I posted a question on the Chicken Behaviors forum asking why they don't make much noise when threatened at night.

The hen didn't look badly beaten, she just had her neck twisted/broken, but no blood, scratches, bites or feather loss. I'm hoping her end was quick.

I've heard about the grits/cornmeal cure for fire ants but it doesn't work with the ones here. I've found Sevin Dust works best, and also a liquid insecticide concentrate I can spray or pour onto the mounds.

Buckaroo, that's a hilarious story, I could just picture it in my mind as I was reading. But I was expecting you to have gotten poked a little lower than your back...

I agree with you, Wildsky, perhaps we all should print copies of Rooster Red's photos & paste them on the walls of our coops as a 'possum deterrant.

And I know some folks dislike drowning their catch, but for me it's the quickest & kindest method I know. My neighbors are sheriff's deputies and would notice & report me if I shot a gun. I do pre-fill the container with the water so when I slide the trap or cage in they're completely immersed, not panicing while the water slowly rises over them. And I've timed the final struggle, it's less than a minute.

Finally, Maco5, I think we're all on the same side with our concern for our livestock, our determination to protect them, and our regard for other animals. I wish you well with your chickens and your work at the wildlife center. My children & I love to visit those places in our area.