That darned possum! This morning when I went out to open the windows in the greenhouse, my favorite nosy chicken didn’t come running out to great me. Then I thought the worst!
Our coop is divided into two sections – kinda like a chicken duplex. You can walk out one door, stand on a little stoop, and go into the other door. The possum was on the east side of the coop so I looked in there yesterday to make sure he hadn’t killed any chickens and there were no dead ones in there.
This morning, after not finding Sybil, I looked in the west side and there she was . . the possum had killed her.
There’s another chicken in the laying box that has an injury and she will probably not make it. We put antibiotic type ointment on her wound but I expect her to be dead by dark.
It’s hard feeling like I could have/should have done more to protect them. They started making all kinds of noise yesterday morning. I went out there, but thinking it was a hawk, I just looked around outside and didn’t look inside the coop. Maybe if I had, I could have saved both hens.
Yesterday I didn’t say that we killed the possum – we did! I didn’t want the criticism from people who feel differently than how we feel about nuisance animals. Folks who don’t walk in our shoes shouldn’t criticize but this is what possums do around chickens. I knew that after having eaten a dozen eggs, he’d be back. After killing one chicken and the second one will probably be dead by the end of the day . . he would definitely be back. Life in the country is definitely different from life in the city. I’m not complaining . . I would wither and die in a city – this is the lifestyle I love; I just don’t need or want complaints from people who think we should have transported the possum to an area where he wouldn’t come back here . . and then he’d be someone else’s problem.
Life goes on . . it’s all part of having animals, especially farm type animals. I was all teary about the chicken. I can just see her running in to look at him and see what he was doing and then he grabbed her. Vince reminded me that we’re lucky it hasn’t happened more. It still makes me very, very sad.
Pat says
Sorry about Sybil. They maybe farm animals but you still get attracted to them.
Cheryl Lorence says
I am so sorry about your chickens. It is heartbreaking esp when it’s your favorite. No judging here re the possum. We’d have done the very same thing. Nuisance animals must be taken care of when problems like this arise. That’s just life on the farm. Those who would judge don’t understand that.
Teri says
So sorry to hear about your Sybil. Very sad.
Rebecca says
What a sad start to the day. I’m sorry that one was a favorite.
dezertsuz says
I’m sorry you lost your chickens. You would not have changed that possum’s mind about chickens! You did the best thing.
Dar in NC says
So sorry about Sybil. 🙁
Elaine/MuddlingThrough says
We had a blind chicken years ago. She was born blind, but was the sweetest soul. You never knew where you’d find her eggs. And she slept on the floor of the chicken house. I went in one morning and there she was – slaughtered and chewed up badly. All I could think was she couldn’t even see what was happening to her. When my dog barked one night when I had him outside late, I got the flashlight and there was a huge possum in the chicken yard. I ran and waked my husband who went outside and shot him. I have never felt the slightest guilt. I’d do it again in a minute.
Ranch Wife says
My family teases me about being attached to my chickens, but I just think they’re so fun. I’m sorry about Sybil. I’d be sad too and that possum wouldn’t be killing any more chickens if he was around here.
Tony Bogusz says
Opossums to me are nothing more than big rats. Skunks are worse. Both are pests that are usually too smart to be caught by no-kill baited trap cages. I, for one, am glad you did in that big rodent. I also rejoice when the coyotes around here sing joyfully after eliminating one more skunk, or when the silent flying Great Horned Owl that has been around my AZ house off and on for the past few years swoops down and takes out another skunk.
Just be careful when handling the dead fowls…that rodent could have been rabid. Ditto for skunks.
Judy Laquidara says
We’re always careful because of rabies! In fact, the injured chicken has been isolated from the other chickens and we’re using disposable gloves when handling her. We catch plenty of raccoons, possums and skunks around here. The raccoons and possums easy to dispatch . . the skunks are always a bit more trouble and it seems no matter how carefully or efficiently it’s done, there are few times it’s done without the odor.
Elle says
I totally understand. As a child, I had a Brittany Spaniel my brother was trying to teach to hunt. Well, he learned. He went to the neighbors and pointed a chicken, then chased it down and killed it. The owner called and told us. He said 3 dead chickens and we’d have a dead dog. You guessed it. Dead Dog. The neighbor was right to do so even though I was sad to lose my dog.
Nelle Coursey says
Even if you had taken him off somewhere else, he might have returned. And you don’t want to handle those things or put them in a box or something where you might get bit. I have heard they don’t have rabies but I don’t like the way they look at me!!
W Jordan says
I’m sorry you r most your favorite chicken . I so remember the killing you had before. I’m Glad the problem is solved now. But that doesn’t make you feel better . It wasn’t your fault they are sneaky animals. They found my cat
door on screamed Porch . Finally had to close it off.
carolyn says
I’m so sorry about Sybil, no matter what kind, it’s hard to lose a beloved pet. You did the right thing. You also answered my question in the comments, I wondered if the skunk would skunk would let loose the stink if it were killed. So, I guess usually it does! Yes, I grew up and have always lived in suburbia…definitely not a country girl!
Helen B says
I am so sorry about your chickens. I am a small-town city girl my entire life and never had to deal with the issues you have in the country. When my older daughter was in high school, their biology class had baby ducks and she had the honor to bring them home for the weekend. She had the pen in her bedroom and was so attentive to them. She was afraid they were cold (there was a light to supply heat)) so she felt she should cover the whole pen…light and all. They died. She was beyond herself with blame, grief and total sadness. I phoned the teacher. He was so matter of fact, a man who lived in the country. He said that this is part of life. Life and death happens in nature. It was a really hard lesson for my daughter (and me, too) but something important.
People seem to be quick to throw stones and pass judgment on others.
Twyla says
So sorry about your sweet chicken. We get so attached to our farm babies. I would have killed the possum, too.