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Barnyard Buddies:  Penned chickens and possums - should I worry?  |
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Mad Typist
True Blue Farmgirl
55 Posts
Faith
Vermont
55 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 30 2009 : 05:02:40 AM
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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... |
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willowtreecreek
True Blue Farmgirl
4813 Posts
Julie
Russell
AR
USA
4813 Posts |
Posted - Jun 30 2009 : 06:19:49 AM
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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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CherryMeDarlin
True Blue Farmgirl
602 Posts
Cherry
Odenville
AL
USA
602 Posts |
Posted - Jun 30 2009 : 06:31:37 AM
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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 |
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Mad Typist
True Blue Farmgirl
55 Posts
Faith
Vermont
55 Posts |
Posted - Jun 30 2009 : 11:39:32 AM
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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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mikesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
3659 Posts
Sherri
Elma
WA
USA
3659 Posts |
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Pinkyatmoosehollowfarm
Farmgirl in Training
20 Posts
Josephine
Albany
New Hampshire
USA
20 Posts |
Posted - Jun 30 2009 : 2:09:41 PM
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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! |
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Mad Typist
True Blue Farmgirl
55 Posts
Faith
Vermont
55 Posts |
Posted - Jun 30 2009 : 3:52:12 PM
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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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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2009 : 03:22:42 AM
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Without a doublt. Possums kill and eat chickens
Trap and relocate if you can.....like 10 miles away! |
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Mad Typist
True Blue Farmgirl
55 Posts
Faith
Vermont
55 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2009 : 05:01:20 AM
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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!
Savor Happy Accidents... |
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willowtreecreek
True Blue Farmgirl
4813 Posts
Julie
Russell
AR
USA
4813 Posts |
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1badmamawolf
True Blue Farmgirl
2199 Posts
Teresa
"Bent Fence Farms"
Ca
USA
2199 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2009 : 09:29:15 AM
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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" |
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Mad Typist
True Blue Farmgirl
55 Posts
Faith
Vermont
55 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2009 : 7:03:29 PM
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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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Barnyard Buddies: Penned chickens and possums - should I worry? |
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Penned chickens and possums - should I worry?
