Look at our visitor last night!  Scary stuff when it’s sitting less than 5 feet away from my 17 chickens!

Did you know:

There are more than 60 different species of opossum, and it’s the only marsupial (pouched mammal) found in the United States and Canada.

A female opossum gives birth to as many as 20 babies in 1 litter.  Her young are as tiny as honeybees. However, less than half of them survive.  Some never even make it to the pouch.  Once born, babies immediately crawl into the mother’s pouch, where they continue to develop. As they get larger, they will go in and out of the pouch and sometimes ride on the mother’s back as she hunts for food.

Opossums are scavengers, and they are often found near garbage cans, and dumpsters. They can often be spotted near roadkill. They are a common city dweller.  Opossums also eat grass, nuts, and fruit. They will hunt mice, birds, insects, worms, snakes, and even CHICKENS!

This opossum was definitely looking for a chicken dinner!  I can not stress enough how important it is to predator proof your chicken coop and run!  Mine has been put to the test several times, this summer alone!  Thankfully my feathered friends stay safe up on their roosts because this guy doesn’t stand a chance on getting in!

Opossum