Capturing Hens before the Possum Returns (updated)

There stands a warm chicken coop full of restless birds eager for warm weather and bugs to nibble. They are warm though. And, although the goats and sheep have a warm barn of their own, they hug the coop hoping for a chance to sneak in and huddle with the chickens.

Everyone loves the chicken coop, except a few silly birds. They prefer to roost in the trees. Do you know what eventually happens to birds who choose to roost in the trees instead of in the warm protected coop? One of our hens found out. She met her match with a mink. How do I know it was a possum? Well, possums have a unique way of making themselves known. They have a certain way of leaving a chicken that is quite disturbing.

This group of birds is difficult to catch to clip wings and lure into the coop. They can't be persuaded with food, nice talk, or herding. Being the youngest of the flock, and lowest in the hierarchy, they simply don't trust the old coop hens. If the possum hasn't persuaded them, he's persuaded and motivated us to get them safe.

Hannah and I captured a few by knocking them out of the trees just as the sun set. Hopefully, we'll be able to reach these last stragglers and get them safe and warm. We certainly don't want anyone else loosing their head.

We have, however, not had a real problem with predators. Our flock mainly free-ranges and sleeps where they like in the warm months. We only recently locked them in the coop to encourage them to lay their eggs in nest boxes and roost there at night. Going on a daily easter egg hunt is fun, until, the chickens molt and we no longer can find eggs anywhere. Keeping them locked up a few weeks gives us the opportunity to take inventory and plan for spring chicks.

It looks like our poultry count is currently at 25 hens, 2 roosters, and 2 ducks. They range from almost four years to nine months. A few old hens will be leaving with our favorite staying as a "pet". How could we ever part with Lucy.  We plan to hatch chicks and increase our egg production within the next few months.

We are looking forward to an exciting winter and spring with lots happening around here.

Here's a great link about minks and chickens: Back Yard Chickens: Chicken Predators

* the post originally was written about a mink as predator; however, after talking with a dear friend who's had possum problems in her coop, she informed me that is was likely a possum who got our hen. Minks actually bite the head where's possums will consume the head trying to eat the crop. Learning something new each day.