Opossum

[centrarchid]

GHO all ready came in getting chickens riled. They could see it with light on. Maybe it caught the little Opossum? Naw. I walked my son through pens explaining to him how chickens respond owl in a very particular way which we had many examples of that he could then point out. Very different dynamic developing that might really help once dogs are back in the game.

 

[Folly's place]

Rooting for you! Get those rotten possums!
Mary

 

[centrarchid]

Someone just discharged what sounded like a small hand gun near residence immediately behind my barn. One shot fired and no speaking I could make out from 150 yards.

 

[Folly's place]

Maybe one of your varmits is gone?
Mary

 

[centrarchid]

Or a family spat.

 

[centrarchid]

Great-horned Owl came in 3 times, large Opossum came in only once. Negative on small Opossum and Red Fox. Large Opossum came in much later than usual. Re-configuring of cameras and installation of light made observations of owl much more detailed. It spends a lot of time on ground walking up to within a foot or so of immature chickens that could now see it clearly. Owl invested a lot of time trying to get into very same pen the Red Fox breached yesterday morning. Neither owl nor Opossum seemed to have trouble approaching new light source. It has a heat lamp bulb.

Accessing barn by larger Opossum and Red Fox is via same route. I will close that off later today using a framed panel of 2 x 4 welded wire. Then I will start work on a panel system for other side of barn that will be much tougher. Cameras will be re-configured to track how visitors compensate. I want to stop visitors without making navigation for me impractical.

 

[centrarchid]

Actual evidence.


Owl on ground.

Son and checking up after first visit by owl. We hung back to listen on how the chickens reacted. Funnest part of this is working with my kids and learning with them.

Owl perched on BOSS storage.

Owl trying to get at carcass left by Red Fox in cage.

Owl taking a breather after trying to get at carcass.

 

[centrarchid]

Notice in second image where trap is closed, another large Opossum to left looking at Opossum caught in trap. Trapped Opossum goes to do a little educational action today. My female dog is getting over fireworks and starting to get back into game. She says fox around even though not in view of cameras.

 

[centrarchid]

My kids are on front porch talking to Opossum in trap. They thing it is cute. Opossum is clearly scared of my monkeys.

 

[Mimi13]

This thread is AWESOME. The way it is written I honestly feel like I’m watching a documentary series on the History Channel. It is very educational. Just goes to show how many creatures lurk around after dark.
I am thankful for our LGD. She might bark all night, but I guess it’s for a good cause.
Thank you for documenting all this and sharing it with the world.