Possum gave birth on the coop

[KimbosKluckers]

Is there a way to partition Mom and babies away from the flock without moving them? Or -- better -- to encourage Mom (noise, activity) to move them out of the coop herself (which she won't do if you barricade her entry)?

She likely means your flock no harm, and just took advantage of what she perceived as a safe place to give birth. Anyone other than a wildlife rehabber may be inclined to exterminate her and her young, which is not a desirable nor necessary outcome.

They have been killed without that opportunity, unfortunately.

 

[Magpiezoe]

Yes, you need to find your local wildlife refuge or game warden. The local police can also help tell you who to call. We have a possum that lives in an old coal wagon on our property. We leave him alone, because we know they are great tick control experts. Thank goodness, we've never had one in the coop. He has come out for Trick or Treat the one time and earned his name, "Henry." It was really weird having him come right up to me and look up as if looking for a hand out. I just pointed away from the children and told Henry to go back to bed. Thank goodness Henry listened to me and wondered off in the direction I pointed. The children and parents thought he was a pet! I told them he is a wild animal and can not be petted or fed.

 

[Nanook33]

Be cautious, a Broody hen is one thing, but I’d imagine a Broody Opossum would be WAY worse.
I’d get a critter catcher to come out and remove the new family.

I agree. Just look at those claws. Mommas are very protective.

 

[Love Donkeys]

You protected your chickens❣

 

[Dragon Slayer Trinket]

That must have been terrifying. I had a possum come into my coop during the day, demolish a duck and spend the night in a five gallon bucket. I still don't know how it got into the bucket, since it was upright the entire time, but imagine my surprise when I went to collect eggs the next morning and found a possum in the bucket below me.

I'm so glad your girls stayed safe. I think someone posted about possums not eating full sized hens... that is not true. I've had one possum take multiple full size (including a brahma) in one night. They're no joke.

 

[TexasBlues]

I had one in my yard the other night. I was lucky to get out of there alive.

 

[TexasBlues]

 

[Love Donkeys]

I know Opossums helpful because eat rodents, bugs and stuff like that. But, I will declare war on the critters if I catch them near my coop!

 

[Unswydd]

They have been killed without that opportunity, unfortunately.

My girls are far more important to me than a possum.

 

[Love Donkeys]

Two nights ago I shot a Opossum off our back porch. The Opossum was attacking one of our barn cats. The Mittens wasn't hurt, the attacker will never be back.