Possum gave birth on the coop

[Unswydd]

I thought possum newborn babies were much smaller?
I'd call the wildlife control.

I finally found a wildlife rehab and waiting to hear back. I have a smaller coop for the chickens tonight but I'd rather see if they call me back.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I thought possum newborn babies were much smaller?

You are right, they are. Those have spent a lot of time in their mother's pouch drinking milk and growing.

I'd call the wildlife control.

Exactly. Those babies are much too young to survive on their own. There is a pretty good chance she will eventually take them away but I would not wait. Possum eat eggs and kill chickens to eat. I'd want her gone soon.

When I was in a somewhat similar situation I killed the mother and fed the babies to the chickens. I know I am a callous heartless brute but I don't want possum eating the chicken feed or eggs and killing my chickens. I treat raccoons and skunks the same way. I am not at all worried about them going extinct.

I finally found a wildlife rehab and waiting to hear back. I have a smaller coop for the chickens tonight but I'd rather see if they call me back.

I've seen possum moving about some during the day but they are mostly nocturnal. If you can keep the chickens away and safe and give her a path to leave at dark she'll probably disappear on her own. But wildlife rehab should be able to handle the situation if you can get them out.

Good luck!

 

[Unswydd]

Mama and babies are gone. Thank God!!!!

 

[KimbosKluckers]

Mama and babies are gone. Thank God!!!!

Like on their own or did someone get them?

 

[The Coop Crew]

View attachment 3888936i think I found where she got in. Going to fix that right away!

Okay but her little hand it’s so cute

 

[McChooky]

Count your blessings and take her showing up as a warning to cover all openings bigger than 1/2" with hardware cloth. You could have lost your entire flock to a more aggressive predator had she not crawled thru that hole and made it obvious

 

[Unswydd]

Count your blessings and take her showing up as a warning to cover all openings bigger than 1/2" with hardware cloth. You could have lost your entire flock to a more aggressive predator had she not crawled thru that hole and made it obvious

I spent yesterday searching every inch of the run and coop. I did fine one spot where she might have gotten in. But she also could have just walked right in when they were free ranging and the door was wide open. But I fixed every tiny bit of a opening I saw. Which were really none but I double wired everything I could. I will go back out today and cover a spot in the chain link fence that could have provided access. I just got too hot yesterday. Going to be hotter today.

 

[Unswydd]

Like on their own or did someone get them?

My friend came and got them since the wildlife people never called me back.

 

[Unswydd]

You are right, they are. Those have spent a lot of time in their mother's pouch drinking milk and growing.


Exactly. Those babies are much too young to survive on their own. There is a pretty good chance she will eventually take them away but I would not wait. Possum eat eggs and kill chickens to eat. I'd want her gone soon.

When I was in a somewhat similar situation I killed the mother and fed the babies to the chickens. I know I am a callous heartless brute but I don't want possum eating the chicken feed or eggs and killing my chickens. I treat raccoons and skunks the same way. I am not at all worried about them going extinct.


I've seen possum moving about some during the day but they are mostly nocturnal. If you can keep the chickens away and safe and give her a path to leave at dark she'll probably disappear on her own. But wildlife rehab should be able to handle the situation if you can get them out.

Good luck!

They were dispatched

 

[Ridgerunner]

But she also could have just walked right in when they were free ranging and the door was wide open.

Exactly. The danger is greater at night but I've seen practically every predator out roaming during broad daylight. Fox, bobcat, skunk, raccoon, possum, mink, hawks, owls, and especially dogs. Mine are locked up securely at night but are somewhat vulnerable during the day. Because of two separate dog attacks that cost me a total of 13 chickens I installed electric netting to give them a pretty safe space against ground predators during the day. It takes maintenance but it has worked really well.