Wary of possum in backyard

[topochico225]

A trap cage will work. When it comes to my animals I’ll do anything to protect them. Possums aren’t endangered so we ended up killing it pretty brutaly but only because we are in the city and I can’t just shoot in my back yard.

I'm uncomfortable with trapping and killing the possum. I just wanted to know if there were any steps I can take other than that.

 

[cmom]

We have had possum problems for years. At first I wasn't too concerned. Then one night I was asleep with my window open (the coop is very close to my window) and I awoke to a grand ruckus in the coop in the middle of the night. I quickly put on shoes and ran out to the coop, only to find a large male possum with one of my hens in his mouth.
He dropped the hen when he saw me, the hen ended up being okay (I believe because I got out there so quickly). The possum didn't fare so well.
I am not telling you what to do, just telling a story so you can make a more informed decision, that is best for you and your flock.

I had a similar experience many years ago but this possum did kill a bird.

 

[Hayden Goseek]

In my experience the 'Have a heart' traps work.
Be sure your cage is well made. I have watched possums squeeze through 2" lattice work and 2x4" wire. They climb well and will also go in through the roof.

 

[topochico225]

In my experience the 'Have a heart' traps work.
Be sure your cage is well made. I have watched possums squeeze through 2" lattice work and 2x4"

Thank you so much!

Also, unrelated, but I saw that you're in NOLA! Have you checked out the Louisiana state page?

 

[Hayden Goseek]

Thank you so much!

Also, unrelated, but I saw that you're in NOLA! Have you checked out the Louisiana state page?

I will, thank you.

 

[BloodRose]

We have had possum problems for years. At first I wasn't too concerned. Then one night I was asleep with my window open (the coop is very close to my window) and I awoke to a grand ruckus in the coop in the middle of the night. I quickly put on shoes and ran out to the coop, only to find a large male possum with one of my hens in his mouth.
He dropped the hen when he saw me, the hen ended up being okay (I believe because I got out there so quickly). The possum didn't fare so well.
I am not telling you what to do, just telling a story so you can make a more informed decision, that is best for you and your flock.

How secure was your coop at the time? Was there a closed door? I have a two basic coops with a latches (no apron but there’s a drop down door that I jam shut to close them into the roost) and I’ve seen possums all over my yard (I throw grit at them to shoo them) but they always come back and I’m worried that maybe the coops are not secure enough.

 

[HomesteaderWife]

There are many great tips on BYC in past forum posts and articles about predator proofing. Tips already given about some of those aspects. Now if trapping and dispatching is not something you are able to do yourself, consider contacting your state trapper's association who can put you in touch with a licensed trapper. The can help with this issue, and in turn many of them will skin/tan and make sure furs go to some use instead of being wasted. If it is something you consider taking upon yourselves, check local regulations.

 

[AGeese]

Having a safe coop and run, and only having food in those places, makes all the difference. Many of us underestimate what 'predator proof' really means, and find out the hard way, with dead and dying chickens. Don't do what we did until we learned better!
Opossums, skunks, and raccoons aren't a big threat to free ranging birds during the day, but all will have no problems killing birds at night.
Only trap if you will then shoot!
Opossums carry a parasite that's very dangerous to horses, raccoons carry a roundworm that can kill humans, and both skunks and raccoons are sometimes infected with rabies. In addition to other not so nice diseases. Having any food for them near the house is a bad idea!
Here I do like to feed the wild songbirds, but will stop feeding when these critters show up, until they move on elsewhere. Any food left outside will attract them, never good.
Wildlife needs to be wild, not dependent on handouts in your yard!
Mary

I've got a giant possum prowling round my coop. I just saw him today late afternoon still light out snooping right out in the open between my house and garage. I'm not willing to bet my girls on it personally.

 

[Obsessed With Silkies]

I'm not sure deterring them will keep them away for long. If they know where the chickens are they will keep coming back. I've had two incidents with opossums. One was a baby that I didn't want to hurt at first so I just shooed it away but it came back so we had to take care of it. The other, was a huge opossum sitting in a tree in our coop one night. Didn't want to take any chances. If you don't want to hurt them, I would suggest trapping them and relocating.

 

[3KillerBs]

If you don't want to hurt them, I would suggest trapping them and relocating.

Never transport a pest animal to a new location without specific permission from the owner of the land where you're putting it.

It may be illegal and it is certainly unethical.

That nice piece of woodland in the middle of nowhere backs onto my property where my chickens are.