What a Night

[whitecra]

Well it is almost 2 in the morning and Austin(my son) and I have been outside hunting a possum. I let one of the odgs out and noticed that my chickens were out of the small barn we have them in. They were in the fenced in area of their pen. They don't do this so I knew something was wrong. Went in their pen and up on their roost was a possum. I went and got Austin and a rake and shovel and flash light. We went in the barn. Austin started hitting him with the rake. We finally got him of the roost and on the ground. He went to the back of the barn. We were both hitting him. He was hurt enough finally that I could get him between the shoval and rake and took him out of the pen. Then Austin hit him again and killed him. All this time Rob (my husband) is in the house sleeping. All of my chickens are in the pen. I will be able to tell more in the morning how they really are. I hate possums. They eat my eggs and try to eat the chickens. I hope there isn't any more. I need to set a trap tomorrow and see if there is more. Now to get to bed and try to sleep.

Chris

 

[heatherscreations1969]

Hope all is well this morning babe....get them traps out quick

 

[whitecra]

Everything seems ok right now. I hope I don't have any more. I am going to set my traps today. You know I like this web site but don't post much, The reason I don't post it doesnt seem to matter what I post I don't get many repost. If I have a ? or anything. Makes me not want to come on here much.
Chris

 

[Ole rooster]

There's more for sure. I've killed 6 in 2 weeks.

 

[whitecra]

Quote:
I caught 2 babies a couple of weeks ago and now this one. I hope they get in the traps and leave the chickens alone.
Chris

 

[Judy]

Bet it would have been a coon here.... though my last losses were coyote. Sigh, everyone loves chicken.

 

[stubbornhill]

Good job using your judgement and checking the situation before morning Chris! Glad it was a good outcome for you. PS Also glad your husband is there for protection in the middle of the night!

Just kidding with you! My husband is the same way. Sound Sleeper!

 

[whitecra]

Quote:
Yeah he is and he had to get up early for work or I would of woke him up. My son was still up so I got him to help.
Chris

 

[cassidy22]

Is there a way to close up their night shelter so nothing can get in? Can't live long on lack of sleep from chasing possums all night. I'm not sure we have them around here. But we do have foxes, coyotes, owls, hawks and eagles. If it's too warm to lock them up, I make sure my dogs have access to scare away any predators. In the winter, everyone gets closed in, and the dogs can stay in where it's warm at night. I don't like feeding predators chicken dinners!!

 

[ozark_chickies]

Glad you got the possum, and it didn't get any of your birds.Keep your traps set, because there are probably more. I haven't caught any possums in the live trap yet, just coons, cats, 1 small dog and a skunk.