Orphaned Opossum

[Skyesrocket]

I would say one outfit would be an extensive wardrobe for a possum...lol.
Possums, in the wild, are one of the shortest lived mammals for their size. 2-4 years. They have many predators, humans...and cars, dogs, cats, owls and larger wildlife. In captivity they live 8 years plus. Depending on their diet. They are really misunderstood and a lot of people don't think twice before killing them.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

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Actually, opossums are EXTREMELY resistant to rabies. It's not impossible for them to carry rabies, just highly unlikely. You are much more likely to pick up a rabid puppy than a rabid opposum.

Rabies not so much, but distemper has been running rampant in this area. Might want to check into getting that looked into.

 

[Sillystunt]

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While I know what you are saying, more chickens are likely killed and mauled by dogs than wild predators like an opossum. They are more scavengers than 'hunters'. Just as with a dog or pet ferret(weasel) you wouldn't take them to the chicken coop and turn them loose. I feed my dogs eggs and they love them, but they can't get in the coop and eat eggs from the nest. LOL

Opossums rarely ever carry rabies, which is rather a cool fact, they have a resistance to the virus. Perhaps scientists should look further into it, although I think it's less to do with the immune system and more to do with the metabolism and body temperature.

Many pet opossums are very well fed, so they aren't always hunting for a meal. I can see a tame, well fed opossums doing very well around chickens, but that's just me.

That is sooo interesting! So do they tame? So when they come into my yard they are mainly looking for eggs or feed rather than my chickens? I will have to stop SSSing them then! I just thought they were like racoons(evil beasts)

I wasn't trying to be rude, i really just didn't know. that's why i asked~

 

[aggieterpkatie]

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They're really not so cute when they rip the head off your chickens and ducks.

 

[Wildsky]

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They're really not so cute when they rip the head off your chickens and ducks.

They only would do that if there was nothing else to eat, possums are lazy, they won't go out of their way to hunt down a chicken, if there is something else to eat first thats what they will do, if there is an easier target then thats what they'll go for.

Rooster Red (a member here) puts out cat food for the possums, and they happily eat that and leave the chickens alone.

 

[Skyesrocket]

I wouldn't want to say that they won't eat your chickens. Because I just don't know. I imagine they would go for chicks and eggs. I do know that they eat rats and mice in the wild. Roof rats were mentioned quite a bit, but I don't know what roof rats are?

I have had a couple of weasel strikes here. They ate the heads off of a bunch of chickens and just left the bodies. But, that is a clear sign of weasels when just the heads are gone. It is more likely that they will end up in your garbage cans or dog or cat food bowls.
Thanks for mentioning distemper. Mine has been vaccinated.
As far as taming goes...mine was next to his dead mother on a road and was too young to live on his own. He hissed if we moved too fast picking him up, but he had an inherant need to hold onto us. In the wild if they don't keep a good hold onto mom they will get left behind and die. He never offered to bite, he just opened his mouth and hissed, then climbed up our arm to our shoulder or head. So, we didn't have to do much taming. We just had to learn to move slower around him at first. I carried him around in the pouch of my sweatshirts a lot when he was a baby because he was by himself. He also liked to ride in the hood of my jackets. When he slept in his cage he slept inside of a pouch.
If a baby does get out of it's cage it will come looking for you. Shnibber is a teenager now and explores a lot on his own, but still checks in to see where I'm at. That includes when I'm on the computer, he climbs up on the desk and monitor, like cats do.

 

[mom'sfolly]

We have them in the yard regularly, and have rescued babies. I have a great picture I will try to upload, of one sleeping in my chicken feeder. Lots of my neighbors have outside cats, and feed them outdoors, so the possums have lots of cat food to choose from. I haven't had a problem with them. One nieghbor had them come in the house to eat the dog food....they aren't afraid of people.

 

[Wolf-Kim]

Though not as bad as raccoons(in my book), we must remember as poultry owners that chickens are terribly easy prey. So easy that they probably shouldn't be even considered "prey", much rather "food". LOL

If you were hungry and had the choice between fresh chicken or eggs and garbage, what would your choice be? Our chickens taste good and are an excellent source of protein. So yes, a wild hungry oppossum may very well look at your chickens and see a grand supper.

 

[Terri]

Petunia never goes outside, it freaks her out, so she is either sleeping or begging for treats. she loves bubble baths and getting her hair blowed dried, favorite treat is apple butter, she does get one box of nerds grape candy(the small box for trick for treaters) during the whole month of October(she has weight issues). She doesn't smell at all and is very friendly she been to all levels of schools, little kids tend to gravitate to her more so than the older kids. i will post more of her picks.

 

[Barred Rocks forever]

whats there main diet in captivity ?