Tue, 05 May 2026 19:08:36 +0000

Do Possums Eat Chickens? Understanding the Risk and How to Protect Your Flock If you’re a poultry owner or backyard gardener, you’ve likely asked: Do possums eat chickens? While possums are not natural predators of chickens, they can pose a real threat to your flock—especially smaller breeds or unattended coops. Understanding possum behavior, their dietary habits, and how to protect your chickens is key to keeping your birds safe. ### What Do Possums Eat? Possums—both striped and common (American) possums—are opportunistic omnivores, meaning they eat a wide variety of foods depending on availability. Their diet includes fruits, insects, small vertebrates, eggs, carrion, and garbage. While chickens aren’t their primary food source, possums may view them as easy targets under certain conditions.