Arizona Chickens

[cactusrota]

Okay I have to brag. Also hope I don't offend anyone. My husband is not home, and I opened the front door and there is a baby rattlesnake just hangin out The dogs were nearby and this snake was way too close for comfort. So I grabbed the flathead shovel and guillotined his head off! Don't mess with this pregnant lady!! Keep your eyes on the ground friends, snake season is upon us.

I just had to do that this morning. Although it wasn't right outside the front door. When I get the chance I like to contain and relocate, but that wasn't an option this time. It was a Mojave, too, which I seem to get at least one of every year. I skinned it, chopped up the carcass and fed it to the chickens. Last year I found two huge western Diamondbacks in the chicken pen, only a couple weeks apart. The first was a full grown female full of eggs, the second was the biggest male I've ever seen (probably the daddy) and he and I had a showdown that rivaled The Battle of the Titans before I finally got the best of him. I have both their skins.

 

[Bobby Basham]

Reminds me of that old song by the Marvellettes from the 60's..."Don't Mess With Bill (Sonoran Chick), No, No, No, No."

Oh, you're a tough one....Don't Mess With Sonoran Chick. Takes me back to the 60's days of the Marvellettes, "Don't Mess With Bill."

I just had to do that this morning. Although it wasn't right outside the front door. When I get the chance I like to contain and relocate, but that wasn't an option this time. It was a Mojave, too, which I seem to get at least one of every year. I skinned it, chopped up the carcass and fed it to the chickens. Last year I found two huge western Diamondbacks in the chicken pen, only a couple weeks apart. The first was a full grown female full of eggs, the second was the biggest male I've ever seen (probably the daddy) and he and I had a showdown that rivaled The Battle of the Titans before I finally got the best of him. I have both their skins.

Hey...This is Arizona!!! The critters/predators out here are different from the East coast. And, if you have to dispatch a predator/pest, to me, it's no big deal. We all have to do what is necessary for our (and livestock/pets) well being. Only the strong survive. I have no problem with it, even if it means taking a shovel up the side of the head to loose, rambling (stray or neighbor) dog. I worked hard for what I have and will be damned if some(body's) critter wants to invade my territory. I pay the rent and upkeep here and uninvited guests are not welcome.

 

[meetthebubus]

So marshmellow, the ee roo is squeeking every morning but i cant evervseem to catch it on camera! He is stil more interested in eating so by the time i get the camera his 2 little squeaks are over but i got to get it on camera soon before he startsvsounding like a rooster!

 

[SonoranChick]

I just had to do that this morning. Although it wasn't right outside the front door. When I get the chance I like to contain and relocate, but that wasn't an option this time. It was a Mojave, too, which I seem to get at least one of every year. I skinned it, chopped up the carcass and fed it to the chickens. Last year I found two huge western Diamondbacks in the chicken pen, only a couple weeks apart. The first was a full grown female full of eggs, the second was the biggest male I've ever seen (probably the daddy) and he and I had a showdown that rivaled The Battle of the Titans before I finally got the best of him. I have both their skins.

We have snake tongs and if possible we try to use those and put them in a cooler and relocate. I was not feeling very humane during this particular showdown...I didn't know you could feed them to the chickens! Great idea for a free meal! What do your chickens do when there is a snake in the pen? Do they see rattlers as a snack or a threat?

 

[meetthebubus]

China sees them the snakes as a threat she is super smart, the others want a snack

Well for the most part it all depends there has been several different encounters seen a sidewinder too!

 

[cactusrota]

We have snake tongs and if possible we try to use those and put them in a cooler and relocate. I was not feeling very humane during this particular showdown...I didn't know you could feed them to the chickens! Great idea for a free meal! What do your chickens do when there is a snake in the pen? Do they see rattlers as a snack or a threat?

The last time there was a rattlesnake in the coop, they acted like it was a threat, made some weird noises at it, and generally kept their distance. I heard the noises and saw the behavior from across the yard but didn't think to check at the time, and found it later when I was locking them up. It was cooler that day, so it was slower moving and I was able to catch it up with a bucket and an old cookie sheet the same way you would catch a spider with a jar and lid.

Found another one today! Another Mojave, but it was in a position that I couldn't have done anything about it. Will have to watch out for it...

 

[cavemanrich]

They milk snakes for venom.

I am not suggesting you do this here, but since some of you do capture these snakes, can you forward them to the labs that make the Anti-venom. Currently fatalities are rare from snake bites due to treatments available. I think the venom is needed to make these treatment meds.
If you capture and relocate, maybe relocating to a lab would be a preference than just out into the wild.
I am not in favor of killing anything, but still put SAFETY of SELF and FAMILY FIRST.

 

[BlueBaby]

They milk snakes for venom.
View attachment 1345445
I am not suggesting you do this here, but since some of you do capture these snakes, can you forward them to the labs that make the Anti-venom. Currently fatalities are rare from snake bites due to treatments available. I think the venom is needed to make these treatment meds.
If you capture and relocate, maybe relocating to a lab would be a preference than just out into the wild.
I am not in favor of killing anything, but still put SAFETY of SELF and FAMILY FIRST.

Yes, they do need the venom to make the anti-venom. That's a good suggestion since some years the snake population seem's to be worse than other's, but would the lab's even accept them from outside sources from individual's like us?

 

[cavemanrich]

Not sure if they would accept. It would be a good question to someone in the Health Field. Never know when that extra dose available could save a life.
I am one that likes to repurpose things, and never waste something that has value. I am one that will list things FREE on Craig's List, rather than simply throw away. I'm not the only one with that attitude.

 

[meetthebubus]

thought i'd post this cutie... close up please!!
Meet Ms. Rockie Balboa!!