Possum... Friend or Foe?

[woodmort]

Definitely "Foe". While it won't bust in to get chickens or eggs it will take anything it has the opportunity to eat whether dead or alive. Skunks are about the same although a skunk will dig to get at birds if it thinks it can.

 

[caspernc]

An opossum has a neuro system like molassis......SLOW.......he will look at you and then if you watch him about 10 min. later will jump. They think about food and are very methodical. They do remember where they left the babies. Don't think they carry food to the young or take it in their stomachs. Kind of like mice and mature very fast. VERY nasty bites. Not rabies carriers (only one that I know of) Any other preditors you see that is MY first concern. If you see a handler with a tame opossum they still have gloves on. Will kill to kill not thinking of food but it is moving. Then eat the last kill. BUT NOT fast so the chickens have some sort of chance but they do climb and if chickens are slumbring they won't have a chance.

BAD opossum!

 

[TreeHugger]

Foe. However, my chickens are in secure pens so they are little concern to me and I leave them alone. The only incident I ever had was when I walked out on the porch one night and thought one of my cats was trying to sit on my feet. I looked down to see a confused possum trying to get off the porch. I screamed, but I think I scared the possum as much as it scared me

 

[Ibicella]

Depends on what they are doing!

Walking through the back yard? Friend.

Trying to get your chickens? Foe.

Well built chicken coops are our best friends.

 

[mmaddie's mom]

FOE... very ugly critter (IMHO)

 

[Mattemma]

I set up traps and bait all over the yard away from my hens. I figure why wait until I notice a problem.If they stay out of my yard they are safe.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:

 

[deanawo]

If I wait until afternoon to gather eggs my eggboxes are mostly in shadow. A few weeks ago I was going from box to box gathering eggs. Reached under several hens as I went. In the last box I ran my hand under her to check for eggs and it was a curled up sleeping small possum. It woke him up and he grinned and I nearly peed my pants. I ran out hollering and didn't go back lol. When dh got home he was still in there sleeping and he took care of it. The next day I hung tap lights in there so I can see!

 

[pnuts]

they are mostly interested in cat food in my experience. i'm sure they would take an egg or two if they were really hungry but otherwise i dont think they would want to mess with a chicken.

 

[dandelionheart]

Quote:
Ditto - they really are quite interesting critters... just Google for more info about them. And yeah, well built coops are our friends.

(I'm more worried about the dogs and raccoons).