Possum Problem

[Nystrjjr]

So a few weeks ago at night I heard my Hens go crazy and rushed outside to find a possum in their chicken run. I was trying to figure out how it got in and was convinced under the door. So we put a concrete barrier up and no more problems.
This morning I got just before 9 after taking the kids to school and see a possum in my front yard running. A little while later I go to open up the boxes from the coop to get the eggs and there is a possum just hanging out. The hens were in their run, just doing their thing while the possum took refuge in the coop. I have no idea how it got in. We trapped it and drove to the other side of the river to release. This was a full size adult. I have both bird netting and some parts have chicken wire around the outside of my run. No holes dug. Nothing broken etc. Here is some pics of my run etc

 

[Howard E]

If that run is open on top, a possum and several others could easily climb up and over.

 

[Nystrjjr]

No it is netted all the way around including the top

 

[Howard E]

In that case, examine every square inch of your netting......if one of those connecting strands was chewed through, that is big enough opening to squeeze in. He got through it somewhere.........and BTW, netting of that type over the top would help with hawks and such, but top or sides made of netting isn't going to stop most of the furry type predators. A mink or weasel could slip through that and not even slow down. Just saying..........

 

[Duckfarmer1]

I only have chicken wire on my run...but I have seen, all too many times on here...where people have lost chickens because we/they only use chicken wire. Most savvy chickens owners prefer hardware cloth...1/2”. they even skirts it underground. We are planning to do this in the spring. And, as listed in the previous posts, the netting can’t keep out those who are determined. I’ve heard opossum eat the eggs like crazy...I hope you dropped him off far enough away..I’m very glad your girls weren’t hurt....

 

[hayley3]

I'm glad you didn't kill him since he did no harm.
One time I had my chickens attacked and felt their stall was rock solid but found a hole hidden in the corner where the raccoon had come up. With all that winter fur, they are probably skinny underneath and can slip through a very small hole or gap.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome!
It's illegal, and not actually humane, to transport wild critters like raccoons, foxes, and opossums elsewhere. Here in Michigan, they can be moved elsewhere on the same property, or to private land in the same county, with landowner permission. That's it.
Your coop and run need upgrading; if critters that large can get inside, so can much less polite animals, and you will loose chickens.
Opossums do kill birds too, not only eat eggs.
Mary

 

[Marieaa70]

So a few weeks ago at night I heard my Hens go crazy and rushed outside to find a possum in their chicken run. I was trying to figure out how it got in and was convinced under the door. So we put a concrete barrier up and no more problems.
This morning I got just before 9 after taking the kids to school and see a possum in my front yard running. A little while later I go to open up the boxes from the coop to get the eggs and there is a possum just hanging out. The hens were in their run, just doing their thing while the possum took refuge in the coop. I have no idea how it got in. We trapped it and drove to the other side of the river to release. This was a full size adult. I have both bird netting and some parts have chicken wire around the outside of my run. No holes dug. Nothing broken etc. Here is some pics of my run etc

They will eat the hens but like to find the eggs first, They come with wire cutters, they eat 1,000 ticks a day so they are good for some thing, just set traps and keep taking them across the river as they are good for ticks and what not s, I had a mom and 7 baby that lived with my hens and geese for awhile , till I caught them all and took them for a long ride, Good luck

 

[hayley3]

I have never had trouble with possums but they can't get inside with my sleeping chickens either. They do steal my eggs if I forget to collect them.

 

[Duckfarmer1]

They will eat the hens but like to find the eggs first, They come with wire cutters, they eat 1,000 ticks a day so they are good for some thing, just set traps and keep taking them across the river as they are good for ticks and what not s, I had a mom and 7 baby that lived with my hens and geese for awhile , till I caught them all and took them for a long ride, Good luck

I don’t think I’d continue to just take them across your river...I think I’d go for a longer car ride next time...to avoid losses...traps are a great idea!!