Possum in the run. Heartbroken

[KikiLeigh02]

It takes a little piece of my soul to make that call with any animal, but it's always better than letting them suffer. I'm so sorry you had to start your day with such awful decisions to make.

Still tears 5 1/2 hours later. It is a hard decision but I was actually surprised she was still with us with the kind of shape she was in. And damage to internal organs. She would have passed but suffered in the meantime. I didn’t want her to have to suffer and the others to have to watch her suffer

 

[llombardo]

So sorry! It's likely that the opossum was hiding in the coop/ run when you locked them in last night, unnoticed. Happened once here too. It's why I don't have an automatic door out there.
Mary

You know I've thought about this. Once I got it in my mind, I check in the duck house, around the whole pen and in the coop just to make sure nothing got in. It is very possible for this to happen.

 

[Birdsong 82]

You know I've thought about this. Once I got it in my mind, I check in the duck house, around the whole pen and in the coop just to make sure nothing got in. It is very possible for this to happen.

Are usually do a quick check but even when they’re free ranging we keep the door to the run closed at all times so the goats don’t get in and destroy the place. He got trapped underneath when we sealed off the underneath. But like I said he won’t be back to bother us and I’m putting up more protection like electric fence even though he didn’t get in from the outside once it was done. He was stuck in the little one and a half foot opening underneath. We also do a daily check to make sure we don’t spot any weak areas or anything like that

 

[Birdsong 82]

It takes a little piece of my soul to make that call with any animal, but it's always better than letting them suffer. I'm so sorry you had to start your day with such awful decisions to make.

It was harder I think to see her condition then to make that decision. So that I’m sure told you the condition she was in. I’m still heartbroken for my rooster. The Rhode Island Reds were his first ladies and he loves all his chickens but I noticed he did have a special spot for his Rhode Island Reds. And I’ve seen him trying to protect them so many times before and I could tell he was trying. And the other Easter Egger I’m sure it’s so heartbroken too because they always stuck together. The other Easter egger is the other one the possum got. Sad day for chickens humans and even cat.
I woke up a little late and was running a little late for work this morning and I hate thinking if I was running on time I would’ve known earlier and maybe could’ve prevented some of it

 

[llombardo]

Almost every night I have to physically put mine in the coop to sleep. I have thought about leaving them in the run and I just can't do it. Then I thought maybe in the coop run and I still can't do it. I really couldn't forgive myself if I caved in and something happened.

In the morning I make noise, so they hear me and I listen for them to make noise. I feel like I'm not breathing until I hear them.

I'm very sorry for your losses. Sending hugs.

 

[Birdsong 82]

Even though he didn’t get in from the outside necessarily. He kind of got trapped in there while we were ceiling it they are now going to be forced to sleep inside the coop. They’re not gonna like it but I’m sure they didn’t like this morning either. It’s going to be tough to get my rooster in there. He has a no touch rule And I respect that. When I look at his spurs I have to respect that. LOL he’s very respectful he’ll even move out of my way if I’m headed in that direction. Never trained him he’s just like that. It will be hard but he’s getting in there to

 

[lazy gardener]

Before purchasing at TSC, do your homework and some comparison shopping at Premier 1. You can buy a charger that runs from solar power, household current, or a deep cycle 12V battery. Spend the extra money to buy a powerful charger. Also, look at the electronetting that Premier 1 carries. This may greatly expand your poultry housing/fencing options.

 

[lazy gardener]

Just be sure there is not a second possum under there. Predators seldom occur one at a time!

I was convinced that there were no possums this far north, until the day I saw one cross the street in front of me. Then, questioned several hunters, who told me that they've seen them also.

 

[llombardo]

Just be sure there is not a second possum under there. Predators seldom occur one at a time!

I was convinced that there were no possums this far north, until the day I saw one cross the street in front of me. Then, questioned several hunters, who told me that they've seen them also.

True. Could be a family.

 

[lazy gardener]

And, if I'm not mistaken, they are likely to curl up and sleep during the day, could get into a tight little space between floor joists where you might not see them.