| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Mad Typist |
Posted - Jun 30 2009 : 05:02:40 AM
We have four chickens who roam outdoors either in a stationary, totally enclosed wire pen that's attached to their coop or in another totally enclosed pen that we move around the yard. We just yesterday discovered a mama possum and her five(!) wee ones wandering into some bushes by our house. I've heard possums may kill chickens but am wondering if I should be concerned since the chickens are penned in well. Will possums dig to get at chickens? I hate to try to trap them in case one or more of the wee ones doesn't make it into the trap. (I'm a very sensitive vegetarian farmgirl who wants to do the best by everyone concerned). Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
Savor Happy Accidents... |
| 11 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Mad Typist |
Posted - Jul 01 2009 : 7:03:29 PM
Willowtreecreek - We're in Swanton, up by the Canadian border, in the west corner of the state. I think it's about two hours to Quechee from here...
And not to worry about the rabies, I've got my hubbies promise to release them if I can ever catch the darn things! (Just kidding - actually, the Rabies Hotline said we were allowed to do a live release on possums because the risk is low around here). Thanks for the wisdom everyone!
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| 1badmamawolf |
Posted - Jul 01 2009 : 09:29:15 AM
Faith, be careful, possums are known to carry rabies.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
| willowtreecreek |
Posted - Jul 01 2009 : 05:44:14 AM
Faith. I grew up in Quechee VT. What part are you from?
Farmgirl Sister #17
Blog
www.willowtreecreek.wordpress.com
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| Mad Typist |
Posted - Jul 01 2009 : 05:01:20 AM
Well, last night I put out the trap w/ fish-flavored cat foot in it (stinky enough to get noticed) but no critters yet. Will cross my fingers again tonight...This is a bit depressing!
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| Annab |
Posted - Jul 01 2009 : 03:22:42 AM
Without a doublt. Possums kill and eat chickens
Trap and relocate if you can.....like 10 miles away! |
| Mad Typist |
Posted - Jun 30 2009 : 3:52:12 PM
I'm so sorry about your bad luck; that sounds like my idea of a nightmare! Our chickens are more pets than anything and my son will be devastated if anything happens to them. I didn't really think I was going to have to worry too much about predators, with the shelter and the fact that we live in the VILLAGE; this is ridiculous! And I agree; you should get a new dog right away - every home needs all that sloppy love!
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| Pinkyatmoosehollowfarm |
Posted - Jun 30 2009 : 2:09:41 PM
Well a bear just tore apart our feed bin this weekend in daylight! and later that night a fox or something got into the hen house and killed several chickens, leaving some and carrying off some. There was a trail of feathers across the field. We've lost 15 chickens in the last week!
We need a new dog! (my dog was put down last year at age 15-1/2). We just put up new hardware cloth around the coop, and are keeping them in for awhile. We need to find a way to turn off the "free Buffet" sign.
Pink is not just a color...it's an attitude! |
| mikesgirl |
Posted - Jun 30 2009 : 11:44:26 AM
Absolutely! We've had really bad experience in the past with penned chickens and all kinds of diggin predators. They will stop at nothing to get at your chickens!
Farmgirl Sister #98
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| Mad Typist |
Posted - Jun 30 2009 : 11:39:32 AM
Thanks for the info. It looks like I'm headed to the store for a live trap then. I think we should be able to get them all together, since the little ones are still piggybacking (although it looks like only four fit at a time)! Wish me luck!
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| CherryMeDarlin |
Posted - Jun 30 2009 : 06:31:37 AM
And they climb, too, Faith. You could do the live trap and relocate them. You might have to do it several times if the babies are past a certain age.
~~Cherry~~
http://cherrymedarlin.blogspot.com
"A thing is as simple or as complicated as you make it." --TT Murphy |
| willowtreecreek |
Posted - Jun 30 2009 : 06:19:49 AM
Yes they will dig. It is recommended that you bury the wire at least 6 inches around the pen. Especially since she has babiesshe will likely be looking for food. Another option is to get a good guard dog.
Farmgirl Sister #17
Blog
www.willowtreecreek.wordpress.com
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