Opossum in the Run

[Foster's Freehold]

That's something I have to plan for also. My chain link is 6ft dog kennel panels. I'm thinking to put a hot wire at 6", 18" and then around the top. Sure wish I could figure a way to string it over the top of the run to jolt the hawks that live in the neighborhood.

 

[Howard E]

I still think a simple single shot .410 with some form of buckshot is the most underrated weapon out there for close quarters use on a fast moving varmint. Or if you need more than one shot, a .410 Mossberg pump. They sell them at Walmart.

My 12 gauge is overkill, but that is what I have so that is what gets used. Makes a lot of noise and leaves a limp bag of bones, but that is the varmint's problem.

 

[jthornton]

The Taurus 4510TKR-3MAG Revolver would be ideal to have. It shoots 5 rounds of .410 3" shot shells. Perfect for up close varmints. I'll have to check the local pawn shops to see if anyone has one.

Yea my 12 gauge 870 pump is loaded with 00 buck and will damn near blow a dog in half but that's the dogs problem.

JT

 

[Ruralhideaway]

That's something I have to plan for also. My chain link is 6ft dog kennel panels. I'm thinking to put a hot wire at 6", 18" and then around the top. Sure wish I could figure a way to string it over the top of the run to jolt the hawks that live in the neighborhood.

Ha you could arrange something. Make an attractive landing spot for them out of non conductive PVC pipe. Run both hot and ground down the length. Zzzzap!

 

[chickengeorgeto]

I use to get $2 for each live possum I could catch.

When dealing with possums in a fetal manner I always make them sull up before I roll out the heavy artillery. At a range of 2 inches I have never failed to make a one shot kill on possums. A fly swatter when employed with determination will sull up even the baddest possum in the state of Missouri. As boys my uncles trapped possums for their fur as well as for their flesh. A good possum hide brought 10¢ from Sears & Roebuck and were used to cover the frames or sounding boxes of banjos. I know so much about banjos because I am the banjo picker in the movie DELIVERANCE. Okay, not really.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Ha you could arrange something. Make an attractive landing spot for them out of non conductive PVC pipe. Run both hot and ground down the length. Zzzzap!

A gap between the hot and the ground wire that can be bridged (or the circuit completed) by the hawks' tootsies does wonders at discouraging hawks from feasting on your feathered family members. The hot wires need to be raised up from the PVC or CPVC pipe to prevent rain or snow from mimicking the feet of hawks & owls thus shorting out your hawk repelling device until pretty weather returns.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

I have 100' of chain link fence around the chicken yard mainly to keep dogs out but after watching the opossum trying to squeeze through the chain link I'm thinking of some additional 1" x 2" fastened to the chain link with a skirt attached to that as well. I wonder how high to go with the 1" x 2" fencing? Would 4' tall and bent in the middle be a possibility or am I better off getting 2' and joining them with J clips?

Another possibility is to buy a roll of galvanized fencing wire at Tractor Supply and run strands horizontally through the chain link diamonds (eg, every 10 or so). You can get 1/4 mile of the stuff for less than $30.

 

[Mark Armstrong]

What a coincidence, went out just after 6 to feed and water my birds, my 5 younger birds were out in the run with my 9 big girls, that never happens, looked in the coop and there he is, Mr. Possum, not only did I not have my phone for a pic, I didn't have my gun either, after a couple of minutes with a hoe I got him to exit the area, he was growling at me but he was lucky he didn't get shot, no way he could have got in there unless he was in already in the run when I closed the gates around 9 last night, guess I'm going to have to check every night before I lock up from now on

 

[jthornton]

Need to carry your gun and flashlight when you lock them up.

Making a rat guard for my feeder today...

JT

 

[jthornton]

Another possibility is to buy a roll of galvanized fencing wire at Tractor Supply and run strands horizontally through the chain link diamonds (eg, every 10 or so). You can get 1/4 mile of the stuff for less than $30.

​

I just went and looked at the chain link fence and that will work great and solve my lower hot wire problem of the chickens sticking their head through the fence. I'll run a wire in the first 4 rows and use some of my J clips every so often to make sure a rat can't move them up. I just looked at my stash of fence stuff and found 5 partial rolls of high tensile fence wire. I normally don't use the funny yellow things but this is an eggselent idea.

I also found my fence charger and a bunch of electric fence wire.

JT