The Truth About Possums And Chickens: 7 Shocking Ways They Threaten Your Flock (And How To Stop Them)

Backyard poultry owners often live in fear of predators, and the humble, slow-moving possum (or opossum) is frequently underestimated. The most critical question on a chicken keeper’s mind is: do possums kill chickens? The short answer, confirmed by recent reports in December 2025, is a definitive and alarming yes—they absolutely can and will kill adult chickens, but their primary threat is often more insidious and focused on the youngest members of your flock and their valuable eggs.

Contrary to the common misconception that these marsupials are harmless scavengers, the Virginia Opossum (the only marsupial found in North America) is an opportunistic omnivore with a broad diet that includes fruits, insects, small rodents, carrion, and, unfortunately, your poultry. Understanding this predatory behavior is the first step toward effective flock protection, as possums are masters of stealth and can squeeze into surprisingly small openings to access a vulnerable chicken coop or run.

The Possum Threat Profile: Are They Egg Thieves or Chicken Killers?

While possums are capable of killing full-grown adult chickens, especially smaller or weaker birds, their reputation as "egg thieves" and "chick killers" is far more accurate for their typical behavior. They are not as aggressively predatory as a fox, raccoon, or coyote, but a hungry possum will not pass up an easy meal, making them a significant threat to a poorly secured flock.

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7 Shocking Ways Possums Threaten Your Flock

Possums attack chickens and their habitat in several distinct ways. Knowing these patterns helps you distinguish a possum attack from that of other common predators like raccoons or weasels.

1. The Egg Raid: Possums are notorious egg predators. They will often crush or consume eggs, leaving behind tell-tale signs like broken eggshells near the coop or scattered around the nesting boxes.
2. Targeting Chicks and Young Poultry: This is where the possum’s threat level spikes. Chicks and young pullets are easy prey. An opossum may consume a chick entirely, leaving no trace behind, which is a common sign of their raid.
3. The Desperate Adult Kill: While uncommon, a possum will kill an adult hen if it is hungry, cornered, or if the chicken is roosting low and unable to defend itself. They typically attack at night when chickens are docile.
4. The Underbelly/Chest Attack: When an adult chicken is killed by a possum, the predator often tears open the underbelly or chest area to access the internal organs, a distinct predation pattern.
5. Lacerations on Feet: If a possum cannot get into the main coop but can access the run from underneath, they have been known to bite the feet of chickens that are close to the wire mesh.
6. Opportunistic Feeding: Possums are attracted to any food source, including spilled chicken feed, cracked corn, or even pet food left outside, which inadvertently draws them right to your coop.
7. Disease Vectors: Beyond direct predation, possums can carry and transmit diseases and parasites, including salmonella, coccidiosis, and leptospirosis, posing a health risk to your entire flock.

Recognizing the specific signs of a possum attack is crucial for timely intervention. If you notice your chickens are reluctant to enter the coop, or if you find partial remains or excessive feathers without a complete carcass, a nocturnal predator like a possum or raccoon is likely the culprit.

Identifying the Signs of a Possum Attack vs. Other Predators

It's vital to correctly identify the predator to implement the right defense strategy. Possums are often confused with raccoons, which are arguably a greater threat.

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• Possum Attack Signs: Crushed eggshells scattered, missing chicks, an adult bird with wounds focused on the abdomen/chest, and often a single kill rather than a massacre. Possums are generally solitary hunters.
• Raccoon Attack Signs: Raccoons are known for killing multiple birds in one attack and often tearing off the heads of their victims. They are also highly adept at opening latches and locks, a skill a possum lacks.
• Weasel/Mink Attack Signs: These smaller predators often kill several chickens and may leave them piled up, taking only a small amount of meat or blood. They can enter very small holes.
• Fox/Coyote Attack Signs: These predators usually kill and carry off the entire bird, often leaving only a few feathers near the point of entry.

The possum's lack of speed and generally timid nature means they rely on stealth and opportunity. They are most active during the night, typically between dusk and dawn, making a secure, locked coop the single most important defense.

5 Best Prevention Methods to Possum-Proof Your Chicken Coop

The best way to protect your flock from possums is not to try and eliminate the wildlife, but to make your coop impenetrable. Opossums are skilled climbers but not diggers or lock-pickers like raccoons, which simplifies the security strategy.

1. Secure the Perimeter (The Hardware Cloth Rule): The most effective defense is a physically secure coop. Use 1/2-inch or 1/4-inch hardware cloth, not chicken wire, for all vents and windows. Possums can tear through thin chicken wire. Ensure all doors and pop-holes have heavy-duty, predator-proof latches that cannot be accidentally nudged open.
2. Elevate and Bury the Run: Possums are not strong diggers, but they can exploit gaps. Elevate the coop off the ground or, for the run, bury a skirt of hardware cloth (at least 12 inches deep and bent outward) around the entire perimeter to deter any potential digging.
3. Remove All Food Attractants: Never leave pet food (dog or cat food) outside overnight. Store chicken feed in metal, sealed containers. Clean up any spilled feed or cracked corn in the run before nightfall. This removes the primary incentive for a possum to visit your property.
4. Motion-Activated Lights or Sprinklers: Possums are nocturnal and shy. A sudden burst of light or water from a motion-activated device can often startle them away before they get close to the coop.
5. Daily Egg Collection: Since possums are primarily egg predators, collecting eggs multiple times a day, especially right before the flock goes to roost, removes their easiest and most desired food source, making the coop less appealing.

In conclusion, while the possum is often a misunderstood animal that provides the benefit of eating ticks and garden pests, it poses a clear and present danger to your chickens, especially chicks and eggs. By focusing on robust coop security—using hardware cloth, removing food sources, and securing latches—you can peacefully coexist with these marsupials while ensuring your valuable flock remains safe and sound.

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