MILK SNAKES! AHHHH maybe graphic

[dixygirl]

I am seeing this predator forum go to ridiculous places. People are now imposing on us their views of how cute racoons and possums are and how delightful snakes are to have around.

I feel a concerted effort is being made by some to convert us into wild animal hugging freaks. I have a problem with that.

Maybe instead of posting in the section on eradicating predators, there shoud be a new section for protectors of wild animals to unite. I thought this forum was about how to get rid of them.

 

[Bawkadoodledoo]

this is getting out of control. can we please cool it down or this will get locked!!!

 

[Solsken Farm]

(edited by staff)

 

[dixygirl]

(edited for continuity)

 

[ticks]

from the rules
*If information is graphic, please note it in the subject line of your post so members can make a decision whether they want to open the thread or not. If you choose to open a thread with said warnings, it is not BYC's responsibility when you are offended.

Ugly Cowboy I don't blame you for anything. I totally agree with you.

 

[birdnutz]

I would share a few eggs with a non venomous snake,if it would come in and help with the rodent problem I'm having. But the guineas took care of that.The snakes that is,not the rodents.
I wouldn't by any means call myself a snake lover, I used to have a fairly healthy phobia about them and tarantulas.But then I bought a pet store,still don't want to handle them. Rat snake bites HURT. I still want a coral colored milk snake though or King. Rosy tarantulas are pretty cool. Them I'll hold now.
The only snakes I have killed on my property are rattlesnakes. My son relocates everything else. With me staying at what I consider a healthy distance.
I have a DIL that has a phobia about birds. She thinks the only good chicken is on her plate. The wolf was brought to extinction because of fear. Education is the key to understanding. Even Steve Erwin disliked cockatoos.
That being said,I will admit that the startle factor of snakes might cause them an early demise on my place. Act and react.

 

[amazondoc]

Quote:
It's actually fairly simple to prevent critters from digging into your coops. In fact, that subject has been discussed many times on this forum.

One way to discourage digging is to bury the fence wire several inches into the ground, all the way around the coop.

Or if you're like me, and you live on rock, you can lay fence wire on top of the ground a foot or so all along the perimeter of the coop. The predators will be digging at the base of the fence, and will therefore be trying to dig through the wire.

Or if you're really gung ho, you can lay a concrete foundation under the fence line.

Or if you have a lot of rock lying around like I do, you can deposit a layer of rocks for a couple feet all around the fence line.

I hope these suggestions help! As I mentioned earlier -- if critters are constantly getting into your coop, it's because your coop is not secure enough.

Quote:
This is NOT a "topic on killin the critters after your animals." The topic of this forum section says "Predators and Pests", NOT "KILLING Predators and Pests". There are many ways to deal with predators and pests besides killing them.

Please note that providing alternate solutions and information is NOT the same thing as being sarcastic or judgmental. Everyone here has the right to civil discussion and sharing differing points of view. Forums like this are intended for education, after all, NOT just for patting each other on the back. But *everyone* needs to be respectful of other points of view, so that we can LEARN from each other instead of just getting mad at each other!

 

[HeadHen]

Almost all the snakes we have found on our property are Copperheads. We have found at least 5 in 4 years. There is a large creek a few streets over.
Are Copperheads a problem with chickens?
I have found them in my children's playarea of the yard and I was bitten by one when I was walking through the yard with my dogs a few years ago. I had to go to the er for the bite and found out I was pregnant with my youngest while I was there. That was fun (not

) I couldn't have treatment because of that and then it got infected. Made for a very worrisome pregnancy

.
We have found and killed a coral snake (red touching yellow)in the garden and left alone a big black snake that would sleep with it's tale draped over the front walk in the early morning (we would have to step over it to go in and out of the house) gave me the creeps.
I don't like snakes but I only get rid of them if they are overly aggressive or copperhead (we have too many) or Coral because of my kids.

 

[Wraith]

If it's not poisonous, don't kill it. Unless you want to. It's your property and no one can tell you what to do on your own piece of land. It can be snake holocaust if you want it to be.

 

[amazondoc]

Quote:
That's not necessarily true. Many animals, including several snake species, are protected by state and/or federal law. Harming any protected species can buy you various degrees of legal hassles, whether they are on your property or not.