Do Possums Eat Chickens – Separating Fact From Fiction

Picture this – It’s a serene evening on your rural homestead, and your prized flock of chickens is settling in for the night. You’ve taken all the precautions to protect them from predators, but you can’t help but wonder – do possums eat chickens?

This question has perplexed many backyard chicken mamas (and papas), and in this blog post, we’re going to dive into the world of possums and their dietary habits to separate fact from fiction.

Possums: The Nighttime Visitors

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of possums and their culinary preferences, let’s take a moment to understand these interesting creatures. First and foremost, let’s just admit it – they are so ugly their cute! Baby Possums are especially adorable in their own weird way. Okay, okay…they have beady black eyes and a hairless tail and these things are hard to get over. They make up for it with their handy opposable thumbs.

Now, let’s get to the facts. Possums, also known as opossums, are marsupials that are native to North and South America. They are known for their adaptability and nocturnal habits, often making appearances in the dark of night. This is precisely the reason they often end up as road kill.

Possums are omnivorous, meaning they eat a variety of foods. Their diet primarily consists of fruits, vegetables, insects, small rodents, and even carrion (dead animals). This broad diet makes them opportunistic feeders, and they’re always on the lookout for a meal.

Possums and Chickens: The Myth

The notion that possums have a particular appetite for poultry has been circulating for quite some time. Many backyard chicken keepers worry about their feathered friends falling victim to these nocturnal creatures. But is this concern based on fact, or is it more of an urban legend?

To set the record straight, possums are not inherently chicken predators (they aren’t like raccoons). While they are opportunistic eaters, they typically don’t seek out live chickens as their primary food source. Instead, they are more likely to feed on insects, small mammals, fruits, and vegetables. That said, there are instances where possums might pose a threat to chickens, and we’ll explore those scenarios next.

When Possums and Chickens Collide

Although possums may not have chickens at the top of their menu, there are situations where they can become a concern for chicken keepers. Here are a few scenarios where possums and chickens might cross paths:

• Nesting Material: Possums are known to raid chicken coops for nesting materials like straw, hay, or feathers. While they’re not targeting chickens themselves, this behavior can disrupt the comfort of your flock.
• Eggs: Possums have a keen sense of smell and might be drawn to the scent of freshly laid eggs. If they find their way into your coop, they could pilfer your precious eggs.
• Chickens in Distress: Possums are opportunistic feeders, and if they happen upon a sick or injured chicken, they might take advantage of the situation and consume it.
• Overpopulation: In areas with high possum populations and limited natural food sources, they may become bolder and explore chicken coops for alternative food options.

Protecting Your Chickens from Possums

Now that we’ve established that possums are not chicken killers by nature but can still pose some threats, let’s discuss how you can protect your feathered friends from these nighttime visitors.

• Secure Coop Design: Ensure that your chicken coop is sturdy and well-constructed. Use strong locks and latches to keep possums from gaining access to your chickens or their eggs.
• Use Motion-Activated Lights: Installing motion-activated lights around your coop can startle possums and other potential predators, deterring them from approaching.
• Close Doors at Night: Possums are primarily nocturnal creatures, so make sure to close the coop door securely at night to keep your chickens safe.
• Remove Attractants: Regularly clean up leftover food, spilled grain, pet food, and scattered eggs to reduce the appeal of your coop to possums.
• Employ Traps: If you suspect possums are frequenting your coop, you can set humane traps to catch and relocate them away from your property.
• Use Guardian Animals: Consider using guardian animals like dogs or geese that can deter possums and other potential threats from entering your chicken area.

The Bottom Line

In the grand scheme of chicken predators, possums are not the most significant threat. While they might occasionally indulge in chicken coop offerings like eggs or nesting materials, they are not natural chicken killers. Proper coop management and predator-proofing measures can help keep your chickens safe from possums and other potential threats.

Remember, possums play a vital role in the ecosystem by controlling insect populations and cleaning up carrion. Some sources say that they can eat up to 6,000 ticks a year. Plus they eat slugs, snails, mice, and other pests. Based on that, you might rethink those bad thoughts you have about these creatures.

Fun Facts

• They have very sharp teeth (50 of them!)
• Possums are the only marsupial in North America (animals with a pouch where they carry their young)
• Their poop pretty much looks like dog poop
• They love cat food
• Eating cockroaches is something they do (yuck…but helpful)
• A possum bites larger prey in the neck (cute turns vicious)

Summary

So, do possums eat chickens? The answer is not a straightforward “yes” or “no.” Possums are opportunistic feeders, and while they may not be chicken predators by nature, they can become a nuisance to backyard poultry keepers in certain situations.

Additional Chicken Articles

• Chicken Parasites – An Informative Guide to Uninvited Guests
• How To Incubate Duck Eggs For Beginners
• Do Chicks Need Mother Hens?