{"id":188472,"date":"2022-07-18T11:14:01","date_gmt":"2022-07-18T11:14:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/how-do-you-know-if-a-possum-has-killed-a-chicken\/"},"modified":"2022-07-18T11:14:01","modified_gmt":"2022-07-18T11:14:01","slug":"how-do-you-know-if-a-possum-has-killed-a-chicken","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/how-do-you-know-if-a-possum-has-killed-a-chicken\/","title":{"rendered":"How do you know if a possum has killed a chicken?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_17 counter-hierarchy counter-decimal ez-toc-grey\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"display: none;\"><i class=\"ez-toc-glyphicon ez-toc-icon-toggle\"><\/i><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class=\"ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1\"><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/how-do-you-know-if-a-possum-has-killed-a-chicken\/#How_do_you_know_if_a_possum_has_killed_a_chicken\" title=\"How do you know if a possum has killed a chicken?\">How do you know if a possum has killed a chicken?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/how-do-you-know-if-a-possum-has-killed-a-chicken\/#Will_a_possum_kill_a_full_grown_chicken\" title=\"Will a possum kill a full grown chicken?\">Will a possum kill a full grown chicken?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/how-do-you-know-if-a-possum-has-killed-a-chicken\/#Will_a_possum_kill_a_chicken_during_the_day\" title=\"Will a possum kill a chicken during the day?\">Will a possum kill a chicken during the day?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/how-do-you-know-if-a-possum-has-killed-a-chicken\/#What_Predator_rips_the_head_off_a_chicken\" title=\"What Predator rips the head off a chicken?\">What Predator rips the head off a chicken?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/how-do-you-know-if-a-possum-has-killed-a-chicken\/#How_do_I_know_if_a_possum_killed_my_chickens\" title=\"How do I know if a possum killed my chickens?\">How do I know if a possum killed my chickens?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/how-do-you-know-if-a-possum-has-killed-a-chicken\/#How_do_you_tell_what_killed_my_chickens\" title=\"How do you tell what killed my chickens?\">How do you tell what killed my chickens?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/how-do-you-know-if-a-possum-has-killed-a-chicken\/#Do_possums_eat_chicken_heads\" title=\"Do possums eat chicken heads?\">Do possums eat chicken heads?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/how-do-you-know-if-a-possum-has-killed-a-chicken\/#How_do_possums_get_in_chicken_coops\" title=\"How do possums get in chicken coops?\">How do possums get in chicken coops?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/how-do-you-know-if-a-possum-has-killed-a-chicken\/#Will_a_possum_carry_off_a_chicken\" title=\"Will a possum carry off a chicken?\">Will a possum carry off a chicken?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/how-do-you-know-if-a-possum-has-killed-a-chicken\/#Should_I_kill_a_possum_in_my_chicken_coop\" title=\"Should I kill a possum in my chicken coop?\">Should I kill a possum in my chicken coop?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/how-do-you-know-if-a-possum-has-killed-a-chicken\/#Do_possums_attack_chickens_during_the_day\" title=\"Do possums attack chickens during the day?\">Do possums attack chickens during the day?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/how-do-you-know-if-a-possum-has-killed-a-chicken\/#What_animal_will_attack_chickens_during_the_day\" title=\"What animal will attack chickens during the day?\">What animal will attack chickens during the day?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/how-do-you-know-if-a-possum-has-killed-a-chicken\/#How_do_I_protect_my_chickens_from_possums\" title=\"How do I protect my chickens from possums?\">How do I protect my chickens from possums?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_you_know_if_a_possum_has_killed_a_chicken\"><\/span>How do you know if a possum has killed a chicken?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Signs Of An Opossum Attack<\/b><\/p>\n<li>The absolute giveaway is the footprints.  <\/li>\n<li>Droppings.<\/li>\n<li>Bite marks to the birds&#8217; neck, breast or thigh.<\/li>\n<li>Sometimes the only part of the bird consumed is the crop and abdomen.<\/li>\n<li>Wounded birds with bites to the breast area.<\/li>\n<li>They will eat their kill where they find it.<\/li>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Will_a_possum_kill_a_full_grown_chicken\"><\/span>Will a possum kill a full grown chicken?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Yes. <\/b><b>Possums will absolutely kill and eat chickens. However, it is worth noting that they are lazy hunters. They are primarily scavengers and will eat: road kill, dead things, small mammals, insects (especially ticks), fruits, and berries.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Will_a_possum_kill_a_chicken_during_the_day\"><\/span>Will a possum kill a chicken during the day?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Possums as Chicken Killers can be a problem for poultry owners as they prefer hunting at night and <b>may never be seen during the day. Hens often do not survive a possum attack. The possum&#8217;s razor-sharp claws have been known to lacerate their necks and bowelsleaving them to bleed to death.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Predator_rips_the_head_off_a_chicken\"><\/span>What Predator rips the head off a chicken?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Missing Heads If you find your chicken with its head missing, chances are the attacker is <b>a raccoon or a bird of prey, such as a hawk. Birds of prey will swoop down and scare chickens, who sometimes jump up in fear and get their heads caught in the netting or mesh that covers their run.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_I_know_if_a_possum_killed_my_chickens\"><\/span>How do I know if a possum killed my chickens?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Signs Of An Opossum Attack<\/b><\/p>\n<li>The absolute giveaway is the footprints.  <\/li>\n<li>Droppings.<\/li>\n<li>Bite marks to the birds&#8217; neck, breast or thigh.<\/li>\n<li>Sometimes the only part of the bird consumed is the crop and abdomen.<\/li>\n<li>Wounded birds with bites to the breast area.<\/li>\n<li>They will eat their kill where they find it.<\/li>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_you_tell_what_killed_my_chickens\"><\/span>How do you tell what killed my chickens?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Often, the chickens&#8217; bodies are bloodied where they have been ripped open and you might notice that internal organs have been eaten. If birds are dead and not eaten but are missing their heads, the predator may be a raccoon, owl or possibly a opossum.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_possums_eat_chicken_heads\"><\/span>Do possums eat chicken heads?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>They don&#8217;t usually eat the whole chicken, but only part, and <b>many times it&#8217;s the head. They will kill more than one chicken, but opossums usually only kill for the food they need that day.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_possums_get_in_chicken_coops\"><\/span>How do possums get in chicken coops?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Opossums can also find a way into the coop with your chickens simply by <b>climbing your run&#8217;s fence. Opossums are designed to climb. Each of its feet have five toes, including opposable thumbs, giving this animal the ability and agility to grip fence wiring quite securely (its tail is also prehensile).<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Will_a_possum_carry_off_a_chicken\"><\/span>Will a possum carry off a chicken?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Possums as Chicken Killers can be a problem for poultry owners as they prefer hunting at night and <b>may never be seen during the day. Hens often do not survive a possum attack. The possum&#8217;s razor-sharp claws have been known to lacerate their necks and bowelsleaving them to bleed to death.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Should_I_kill_a_possum_in_my_chicken_coop\"><\/span>Should I kill a possum in my chicken coop?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Signs Of An Opossum Attack<\/b><\/p>\n<li>The absolute giveaway is the footprints.  <\/li>\n<li>Droppings.<\/li>\n<li>Bite marks to the birds&#8217; neck, breast or thigh.<\/li>\n<li>Sometimes the only part of the bird consumed is the crop and abdomen.<\/li>\n<li>Wounded birds with bites to the breast area.<\/li>\n<li>They will eat their kill where they find it.<\/li>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_possums_attack_chickens_during_the_day\"><\/span>Do possums attack chickens during the day?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>They do not attack your chickens because they are mean\/vicious\/bloodthirsty  all these labels have been applied to them. They are simply doing what nature intended and looking for a meal. Over the years when I know there is a possum around, I will leave out a small bowl of chicken feed for them in the winter months.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_animal_will_attack_chickens_during_the_day\"><\/span>What animal will attack chickens during the day?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>hawks<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_I_protect_my_chickens_from_possums\"><\/span>How do I protect my chickens from possums?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Yes&#8211;A possum (a.k.a. opossum) that gets into your coop or run can eat eggs and young chicks, but <b>they have certainly been known to kill adult chickens as well. Small bantams are especially at risk.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Table of Contents How do you know if a possum has killed a chicken?Will a possum kill a full grown chicken?Will a possum kill a chicken during the day?What Predator rips the head off a chicken?How do I know if a possum killed my chickens?How do you tell what killed my chickens?Do possums eat chicken&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"spay_email":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[622],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-188472","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-pet-care"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/188472"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=188472"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/188472\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=188472"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=188472"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=188472"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}