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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,132
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,132 |
About 5:30 this morning, I got woken by the sound of panicking chickens. I keep 6-12 laying hens in a coop out behind the cabin for eggs. I built a new coop last summer, an elevated miniature cabin with a run underneath (for when I'm not around,) and they free range all day when I'm gonna be home to keep an eye on them, as my place is literally in the middle of the woods, and there are predators everywhere. The coop is built solid out of rough cut pine, with a tin roof. with one door in front, and one beneath, with a ramp that leads down to the run. The run is fully enclosed with 2"x4" welded wire, with the ends wire nailed to the 6x6 posts, then sandwiched by boards on the top and bottom. The wire is buried about 12" out from the bottom of the run to prevent digging. There is an access door framed and built to get into the run from outside. The run door and the coop door are both secured with hasps and lynch pins. The coop has been keeping coons out for over a year now, despite their every effort. The only predator issue I have had in the past year is a weasel last winter.
I walk outside this morning, and there is an adult, fully grown opossum chasing one of the hens around down INSIDE the run. I open the run door and he headed for parts unknown pretty quickly. I searched for hair on the welded wire fence surrounding their enclosed run, holes in the roof, dormers, the fence... nothing. The doors were both shut and latched. No signs of digging. No holes anywhere.
Is it possible for a opossum to squeeze through that 2"x4" welded wire hole!?! A young'n, I can see, but a full grown opossum the size of my house cat!? I just can't see how else he got in? I have a feeling he'll be back tonight.
I am just shocked that coons of all shapes and sizes haven't managed to get in, but that big ole opossum did. Either he squeezed through the fence, went in through the front door and had his buddy shut and lock it behind him, or he's a magician.
At any rate, what more can I possibly do to keep him and his buddies out at night?
"Ignorance is acceptable, because you can remedy it with knowledge and research. Stupidity is when you guard your ignorance." Ted Nugent
"Idolizing a politician is like believing the stripper really likes you."
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,945
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,945 |
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 27,091
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 27,091 |
I think he went through the fence or over it. They can climb better than a rock climber.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 38,912 Likes: 8
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 38,912 Likes: 8 |
Title sounds like a country-western song from the 50s.
Not a real member - just an ordinary guy who appreciates being able to hang around and say something once in awhile.
Happily Trapped In the Past (Thanks, Joe)
Not only a less than minimally educated person, but stupid and out of touch as well.
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Joined: May 2016
Posts: 60,575 Likes: 24
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 60,575 Likes: 24 |
He was in there.....waiting.
Watching to see for you to bring home another 30 rack of Camo Busch Light.
I am MAGA.
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,015
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,015 |
He was in there.....waiting.
Watching to see for you to bring home another 30 rack of Camo Busch Light.
In on George Jones thread.
$$$ TRUMP AT THE PUMP 2024 $$$
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 151,808 Likes: 19
Campfire Savant
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Campfire Savant
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 151,808 Likes: 19 |
You need hardware cloth all the way around and a gate that fits in a frame. Are there no chicken snakes where you live?
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Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 4,354
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 4,354 |
I think he went through the fence or over it. They can climb better than a rock climber. Not a doubt about it. Through it is easy for an opossum. The fence was 2" x 4" mesh. Not even a challenge.
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,681 Likes: 4
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,681 Likes: 4 |
He was in there.....waiting.
Watching to see for you to bring home another 30 rack of Camo Busch Light.
Add that to the title and we have a certified gold country hit song!
Figures don't lie, But Liars figure Assumption is the mother of mistakes
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 67,215 Likes: 41
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 67,215 Likes: 41 |
Lawn chair, spot light, .410 shotgun, cooler of beer
You pickin up what i'm puttin down???
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 26,538 Likes: 3
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 26,538 Likes: 3 |
Lawn chair, spot light, .410 shotgun, cooler of beer
You pickin up what i'm puttin down??? Busch Light/Camo can.........
FJB & FJT
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Joined: May 2016
Posts: 60,575 Likes: 24
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 60,575 Likes: 24 |
Lawn chair, spot light, .410 shotgun, cooler of beer
You pickin up what i'm puttin down??? Busch Light/Camo can......... If you say that three times fast into a mirror.....Mathman shows up......
I am MAGA.
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 26,538 Likes: 3
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 26,538 Likes: 3 |
Gotta watch that dude, turn yer back and he'll drop ice in yer whiskey.........
FJB & FJT
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 67,215 Likes: 41
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 67,215 Likes: 41 |
Lawn chair, spot light, .410 shotgun, cooler of beer
You pickin up what i'm puttin down??? Busch Light/Camo can.........
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 26,538 Likes: 3
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 26,538 Likes: 3 |
Dozen headaches in that box.....at least.
FJB & FJT
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 7,866
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 7,866 |
The Magic Grinner
"Government is not the solution to our problem, government is the problem." Ronald Reagan
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 7,866
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 7,866 |
Dozen headaches in that box.....at least. He's got good taste. However, I drink the light variety. The camo can makes it taste even better.
Last edited by StoneCutter; 11/22/19.
"Government is not the solution to our problem, government is the problem." Ronald Reagan
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 26,337
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 26,337 |
if said possum critter could get his head through it, he could get his body through it.
extra points: if you build him a coop of his own, and fatten him up, will he be good to eat?
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 67,215 Likes: 41
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 67,215 Likes: 41 |
In an empty trough
Snapping turtle vs opposum
Let God sort it out
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,015
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,015 |
In an empty trough
Snapping turtle vs opposum
Let God sort it out Redneck colosseum!
$$$ TRUMP AT THE PUMP 2024 $$$
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