The adventures of Barbara (BR)

[PetRock]

So sorry about Specky Becky! I hope the funny chicken has moved on never to return!

We had our own run in with a whole family of possums (mama and three babies) in our suburban backyard. My 9 yr. old DD caught 2 of the babies in a dog kennel. We have a wld animal care/rescue facility in our county so I called them to see if they would take them. The "expert" on the phone went on and on about how shy and nonviolent possums are. She said that they would never attack a chicken and that they eat bugs, plants, and dead things. She told me that they wouldn't take the baby possums at the rescue facility because they were too big. She said that I should just dump them over the fence into the neighbor's yard and they would never make it back to our yard.

So much for "expert" advise! We loaded the carrier into our van and drove several miles to a large empty field and encouraged them to move on. We have not seen the third baby or mama since then. Maybe they listened to the "expert" and moved to the neighbor's yard!

While I had the "expert" on the phone, I also asked her about local hawks. She proceeded to tell me that only a juvenile Coopers Hawk might try to kill a chicken but it would never be successful. Yah, right! Specky Becky sure knows different. I'm so thankful for the wealth of truely expert advise available here on BYC!

 

[PetRock]

So sorry that my computer is wonky this morning and entering double posts!

 

[MrsChickendad]

Well, the Coopers Hawk is still here. I looked out my bedroom window this morning and he was sitting on the top of the breezeway roof, not ten feet away. The Mille Fleur Cochin breeding pen and run is right there, luckily they were not out. There is netting on the top, but that hawk seems very determined. Somehow they knew he was there, they were all sounding the alarm. I'm keeping everyone locked in until he gives up and moves on. Whew!

That's some "expert" you have there, Pet Rock. Bet she can't find her butt with both hands! Sure, dump them over on the neighbors, give them the problem. If the babies are too young, they will die, if they are older they will be a nuisance and come back for chicken dinner.

 

[mkeawsh]

Sounds like your chickens had a day yesterday like mine. Mine were in the woods free-ranging and my DH and I were at the chicken house discussing improvements and upgrade plans for it when all of a sudden we realized that we did not hear any chattering or scratching from the woods. There they all were as still as statues and quiet as a church mice. We looked up to see two huge red-tailed hawks - probably had wing spans of 2-3 feet circling. My DH and I have perfected clapping in a sharp loud way that it startles them to move a little and circle until they gradually move away. Then my flock all comes running out of the woods into one of the tractors. That wasn't the first time for that yesterday. No leaves on the trees and they are hungry, desperately looking for food.

 

[mkeawsh]

My American Foxhound, a little bit ago was having a fit outside. I looked out to see an opossum walking down out of the woods. We haven't had problems with the opossums around here. We had one that used to go in the chicken house at night in the winter before I could close it up, to sleep in a corner and left the chickens alone. I would always shoo it out before I closed the doors but it never touched a chicken. Actually opossums usually do not go after chickens unless they are hungry. Their main diet is insects, snails, worms, rats, mice and dead decaying animals. They usually do not "attack" anything that is not a food source and is not threatening to them. And to see one out in the bright of day is very unusual. They can't see that well in the daytime. They are nocturnal. I'm thinking this one is probably old, hungry and has to be out during the day looking for food because of the numerous predators we have here - lots of owls, coyotes, loose dogs etc - at night.

 

[MrsChickendad]

Yes, I think the sudden warming temperature probably brought our possom out of hibernation, as it seemed less than alert. I guess we just have to be extra vigilant this time of year. What I found interesting is that my little cochin boys alert and make a huge racket, while the big wyandotte boys run and hide!

 

[mkeawsh]

Cooper hawks are very interesting. We have them here and I know for a fact that one of my bantam hens got taken in the woods by one. They ambush their prey and even fly into heavy brush or even run on the ground in pursuit. Their size is only a little over a foot to about 20 inches. Persistent little devils, though.

 

[mkeawsh]

Actually opossums do not hibernate. I did research on them when the one started sleeping with the chickens and here is some info. I have one that has the same path it takes every night.

Opossums do not hibernate. Their greatest challenge during winter, especially in colder climates, is simply to survive. Very often opossums will alter their foraging habits during winter, coming out during the day when it is warmer rather than at night. It is not uncommon for opossums in northern regions to suffer frostbite during extremely cold periods. Their tails are particularly susceptible to frostbite as they have no fur covering to protect them. Sometimes opossums can be found relocating to basements or garages in order to escape the cold. The only way to prevent this is to make sure all openings are fully covered.

SOURCE:
http://opossum.craton.net/faqs.htm

 

[Fuffy]

Interesting stuff!

Thank you all

I love finding out about different creatures

 

[PaulaJoAnne]

Quote:
You know the joke about banty roosters!