Morning La-yers. Well, I killed the first snake in 4 years on our place last night. Proof positive to me that the guineas were, indeed, keeping the snake population under control (my aunt across the road said her grandson killed 2 in the back yard yesterday).
My young keets can't grow up fast enough! I wish I could put them on guinea steroids or super vitamins or something. It'll be next year before they'll be grown enough - and hopefully, trained enough - to do snake patrol.
Jim spotted the snake up in the crepe myrtles after a bird's nest - heard the commotion - by the time I got out there w/the big flashlight we lost sight of it.
Then a little while later, he went back outside and it was climbing up the side of our storage shed - this was right at dark - he stuck his head in the door & called me to bring the gun. I grabbed the shotgun & ran out & he said, "Don't shoot! You'll blow holes in the storage shed"! "Go get my pistol"!
I said, "And you don't think you'll make holes with bullets"?
He said, "Keep your eyes on it & don't let it get away'! & hustled back inside to get his pistol.
Believe it or not, the snake was motionless all this time, halfway up the side of the shed. I looked at it & said, "Sit! Stay"! & put my shotgun to the side & picked up a shovel & poked sharply at it & knocked it to the ground & chopped its' head off.
Jim came back out w/his pistol & looked at me, the dead snake, the storage shed. I said, "I didn't make a hole in it. I didn't even make a dent in it. You're welcome". & scooped up the dead snake & disposed of it in the field. Problem resolved!
My young keets can't grow up fast enough! I wish I could put them on guinea steroids or super vitamins or something. It'll be next year before they'll be grown enough - and hopefully, trained enough - to do snake patrol.
Jim spotted the snake up in the crepe myrtles after a bird's nest - heard the commotion - by the time I got out there w/the big flashlight we lost sight of it.
Then a little while later, he went back outside and it was climbing up the side of our storage shed - this was right at dark - he stuck his head in the door & called me to bring the gun. I grabbed the shotgun & ran out & he said, "Don't shoot! You'll blow holes in the storage shed"! "Go get my pistol"!
I said, "And you don't think you'll make holes with bullets"?
He said, "Keep your eyes on it & don't let it get away'! & hustled back inside to get his pistol.
Believe it or not, the snake was motionless all this time, halfway up the side of the shed. I looked at it & said, "Sit! Stay"! & put my shotgun to the side & picked up a shovel & poked sharply at it & knocked it to the ground & chopped its' head off.
Jim came back out w/his pistol & looked at me, the dead snake, the storage shed. I said, "I didn't make a hole in it. I didn't even make a dent in it. You're welcome". & scooped up the dead snake & disposed of it in the field. Problem resolved!
when I do I can send you some
I'm not much for writing in BYC but I do try to keep up. We have 6 keets 1 goose 4 roos 6 hens gotta say the coon tried to take a deli and all it got was a tail feather those 2 girls are quick to peck if they don't like something! 
) 2 rescued dogs 1 GSD and a small pit mix. We vaccinate chckes are using some FF (thanks Kuntrygirl) which keets & goose turn their noses up at lol. Thinking of breeding either BLRW or French blue copper marans. Probably start breeder program next spring was planning on 2 broody Cochin's but.. Darn coon. Angel I love your pictures esp the one of the chick with a fig in her/his beak precious.Linda your a great story teller I enjoy reading your adventures!
