A Possum-Free Hen House

Tonight, like every other night since we got our chickens, I went out after dark to close up the coop.  I always shine my little flashlight in the nest boxes to do a head count and make sure the girls are all accounted for.  Tonight, there was an extra guest in there.  A big old possum was curled up in the hay under the nest boxes, probably driven in there looking for a warm place to sleep and get away from the cold.  I'm telling myself that, realizing that possums are nocturnal and I probably just walked up before the little beast could get a bite of one my chickens.  With spotlight in one hand, and a garden rake in the other, I poked and scooted it's little butt right out of there.  All the girls were fine, just annoyed by the light and commotion while they were trying to sleep.  Hopefully the possum won't try to sneak in again tomorrow.