fuzzi's Chicken Journal

[fuzzi]

Hannah dustbathing:

 

[fuzzi]

One of my watermelons fell out of its sling and broke off its vine before it was ripe.


I split it in two, and gave it to my flock. I wasn't sure if they'd like it. They weren't too sure about it, either.

Guess which chicks were the bravest?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

OK, you're going to have to show how you sling watermelon!
Garden photos please!

Haha! Those Doms are brave little things aren't they? Looks like they are getting along with the SS too. All look very good.
I'm so happy that you're enjoying these babies!

 

[fuzzi]

OK, you're going to have to show how you sling watermelon!
Garden photos please!

Haha! Those Doms are brave little things aren't they? Looks like they are getting along with the SS too. All look very good.
I'm so happy that you're enjoying these babies!

The Dominiques are integrating with the Sussex but still rank lower; they will get out of the way of the others. Funny thing, they are now about the same size as the Sussex, may even pass them some!

My little flock brings me so much joy, and is an emotional (stress?) release as well. If I sit in the coop for more than a few minutes I will wind up with a pullet on my lap and Joel will roost on my foot!

The sling that failed was created from an old t-shirt, with the watermelon resting inside the sleeve. It must have stretched out too much.

The next sling I make will be more like a hammock.

 

[fuzzi]

We had a little excitement this morning...

I cleaned and refilled the waterers before getting ready for church. As I was about to go back inside I noticed all the Sussex were congregated in one spot, near the back of the hoop coop, and being noisy. I thought maybe one of the hens had finally laid an egg so I went back inside and looked to see what was agitating the flock.

It wasn't an egg, it was a snake. And it was trying to get inside the coop. The markings looked like a Copperhead, so I grabbed a shovel and long handled pruning shears and headed over to where the snake was.

Spoiler: Graphic description

I hit the snake in the middle to cripple it, then took the shears to cut it behind the head.

It was about two feet long, and would have posed a danger to anyone walking around the yard, including my dog. It's feeding the woodland creatures now.

If my chickens hadn't noticed that snake and gotten agitated, and if I'd not checked to see what was upsetting them that venomous snake could have bitten someone in the yard.

Sorry, snake. No Copperheads allowed in my yard.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Oh goodness!
I'm glad you got him!

 

[fuzzi]

Oh goodness!
I'm glad you got him!

Yep. Me too. That was the 4th Copperhead I have encountered in 17 years here, only the second one I've killed. All snakes are allowed in my yard except Copperheads.

 

[fuzzi]

It's up to 92° here, index 102°. I went to check on the flock, but quietly approached from the back side of the shed so they wouldn't get all excited about treats, not in this heat. I saw a couple Dominiques eating from the feeder, one was dust bathing. Then a rooster flew down from a perch, walked up to the wire, and stared at me. Despite my stealthy approach Joel saw me, he was being a watchman. I told him that he was a good boy, he relaxed, and I went back inside.

 

[NanaK]

So glad you took care of that snake without incidence! I am always looking around this time of the year.

We've been on this property since 1992. Only seen one copperhead. I was headed down our back path on the mower and spotted one. Hubby had just went through on the truck a bit before and run over him thankfully. Took me a minute to realize he was dead. Lot's of huge black snakes and skinny long black racers though. I leave them alone as long as they stay out of my coop and away from the back porch.

Be careful!

 

[fuzzi]

So glad you took care of that snake without incidence! I am always looking around this time of the year.

We've been on this property since 1992. Only seen one copperhead. I was headed down our back path on the mower and spotted one. Hubby had just went through on the truck a bit before and run over him thankfully. Took me a minute to realize he was dead. Lot's of huge black snakes and skinny long black racers though. I leave them alone as long as they stay out of my coop and away from the back porch.

Be careful!

Racers are nifty snakes. They hide around my ponds and pick off unwary frogs.

Black rat snakes EAT Copperheads, woo!

I also have seen green snakes, brown snakes, worm snakes, and ring-necked. All are welcome, as they are small (1/2" diameter) and mainly eat bugs or mice.