My neighbors have gone on a trip again. That means I'm harvesting lots of okra cucumbers and squash. Stuff that doesn't keep well so I am giving a lot to my friends.
I am also gathering eggs. This morning when I opened the hutch there were 2 eggs, 1 was cracked. There was also a dead headless chicken. I sent my neighbors a text and she said it was probably a possum. I am not looking forward to gathering eggs in the morning.
9
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The trick to know if an a egg is still edible is to put it in water if it floats thow it out because gas has accumulated in the egg and it has started to decay inside. Opossums are very shy and you are an apex predator in it's eyes. If you come across an opossums it may hiss at you that is just an intimidation tatic it uses.
azzow2
Level 9
July 18, 2020
3
I've ''shown'' them at the zoo for many years and absolutely love them! They're a lot smarter than we give them credit...good mothers and important in an ecosystem. We just need to make sure they stay where they belong.
@LucyLoohoo My mom has kept them as pets. They will peel a grape before they eat it. They will also catch and eat small rodents.
@azzow2 Using them in the "Animal Encounters" taught me that opossums get a ''bad rap'' with most people. Too bad. After all....they're the only marsupial in North America. 
I see eggstraordinary oppossumbilities (sorry I couldn't resist) 
FearlessFly
Level 9
July 18, 2020
1
Allamanda's right....go carefully around the coop and tighten any loose wires, gaps, etc. Are there recognizable tracks in sand or soil? I'm sorry that happened to you.
LucyLoohoo
Level 9
July 18, 2020
5
Rats,possums, minks can get through less than a 1/2" gap.......
@AnneWimsey Don't know if a rat could decapitate a chicken but they're certainly attracted to chicken feed.
@LucyLoohoo yes they could,and a mink or fox would eat the entire chicken,so i tend towards a rat or possum fighting for the eggs
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