Possum in the run. Heartbroken

[Whitepinefarm]

Pe

So sorry to hear about your losses. It must be so hard to think they are safe, and then not to know how it was breached.

Perhaps it would help them and allay some of your anxiety if you trained your chickens to sleep in the coop. It just adds another layer of protection. I am so sorry that happened. I worry about it all the time for my chicks and am always relieved to go out in the morning and see that everything is all right.

 

[Birdsong 82]

Until the past few months bears were not common place out where I live. We might have a sighting in the county every of couple of years but not so close to home and so frequent. But black bears are common in Virginia. I almost didn’t go to work because I was so upset but my husband made me go and told me staying at home would probably be worse for me. Going to tractor supply after work to price electric fencing but unfortunately we would have to get a solar charger because we have no outdoor electric. Also going in pricing out a gun. The possum couldn’t get out and we were lucky enough that my mother-in-law left hers at our house last week so we had it. I hate having that mindset But I got to protect my babies

 

[Birdsong 82]

Pe

Perhaps it would help them and allay some of your anxiety if you trained your chickens to sleep in the coop. It just adds another layer of protection. I am so sorry that happened. I worry about it all the time for my chicks and am always relieved to go out in the morning and see that everything is all right.

They sleep in the coop when the weather starts turning colder but in the run in the summer. Just yesterday I was telling my husband starting this weekend we need to start training them to sleep in the coop all the time. Hopefully they are not afraid to sleep in the coop since that’s where the possum came from under. But they may not have known where he came from because they were on the other side of the run

 

[Folly's place]

Premier1supplies is a very good source for information and supplies for electric fencing, and Howard E has good advice on this site.
Mary

 

[Birdsong 82]

I knew I came to the right place for just a little comfort. BYC. My coworkers knew I was upset and they tried to be comforting but I could tell all the while they didn’t quite get it but they knew how much I cared about them. I give them credit for trying though

 

[Birdsong 82]

Premier1supplies is a very good source for information and supplies for electric fencing, and Howard E has good advice on this site.
Mary

Definitely getting information and supplies I can today to get that up as quick as I can. I know an electric fence wouldn’t have helped them this time saying he was already in there but I definitely don’t want anymore problems. And I don’t know if you can make a run predator proof like a bear
Also feel terrible for my husband. We didn’t want the other chicken to suffer knowing she couldn’t be healed. He knew How hard that would be on me to do and don’t know if I could. He acts tough but I know it’s probably really hard on him right now

 

[townchicks]

I haven't had to deal with bears, but I think the only thing that stops them is an electric fence. They break into cars and houses, so even a well built coop wouldn't be a problem for them. Hugs to your husband, it can be hard to put an animal down, but sounds like it was best for the poor girl.

 

[Birdsong 82]

I didn’t realize how vicious possums could be. For americana was gutted. Body and everything still there but insides gone. I could tell that’s what he was trying to do with the Rhode Island red but she’s much bigger or maybe he got scared off just in time. Well not just in time because there was enough damage to her organs that I know she was suffering. He’s acting like it’s not bothering him but I could hear in his voice. I’m glad he offered because that would traumatize me a long time

 

[KikiLeigh02]

I'm so sorry! How awful! Having to make the decision to cull so they don't suffer is heartbreaking.

 

[Birdsong 82]

I'm so sorry! How awful! Having to make the decision to cull so they don't suffer is heartbreaking.

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