opposm in the yard and my chickens didnt run

[LCwilson]

im thinking this opposum was sick because it was still light out. ive seen him about 3-4 times before but at night. but today he was out in the daylight. he came up out of the woods to the bird feeder. the chickens and my big peacock actually walked over there to him. dumb chickens. we have 4 little dogs so im thinking thats why they didnt run. but i was out on the other side of the yard and my sister said theres an oppsum after the chickens. i didnt have my gun close so i grabbed my football and bombed it at him and flipped him when i hit him with the football and he ran into the woods. but i was wondering if this opposum really was sick and why didnt the chickens run? thanks.
cole.

 

[Plain Old Dee]

It is very possible that the 'possum was sick or very hungry if it was out in daylight - unless it was in the very early morning. Your chickens probably didn't run because the 'possum was in active "hunt" mode. Prey animals seem to be able to sense it. This does not mean the 'possum won't come back, though. He might fancy a chicken dinner some night soon!

 

[6chickens in St. Charles]

They probably hang together.

We have 2 giant neighborhood cats who hang with our chickens, found them a few times laying in the dustbath with the girls getting sun.....

The chickens chase away things they think are dangerous. Our tiniest Silkie hen LOVES chasing squirrels. They all gang up on the racoon who comes out of the garage, he has to watch through the window and sneak and wait for his chance to get around the chickens.

I know possums and cats and coons will eat chickens, but I bet a few predators who grew up near your chickens don't know they're food. They're just part of their home environment. Someday a travellin' through possum will set things straight!

 

[cmom]

I had a possum try to dig under the fence of my chicken yard during the day. It ran off the first time but came back. I put a leg trap in the spot where I saw it digging the day before and there it was caught in the trap.

 

[LCwilson]

well he came back again and my stepdad shot him. so no more opposum.

 

[scooter147]

It's just my opinion but I have seen this behavior before, chickens not running. I think they try to use numbers to intimidate the predator.
I actually seen my hens do this to a fox who was on the other side of the chain link fence, so there was their run fence and chain link between them. The fox did see me and turn tail and head off into the woods. I guarantee you if the fox made a move toward them they would have scattered.