Peed. My. Pants.

[MillersFarm]

Oh the expression on your face when you had grabbed the snake! I'm sure that wasnt the most pleasant thing you've done. We never have any snake problems here and RARELY see any snakes at all! Though i do have a pet python whose well over 6 ft. people call me crazy that i let him out to just chill out with me. So i think if we ever did have a snake problem we wouldnt be too worried about it

 

[007Sean]

The joys of southern living! I'll take snow, thanks! Mary

Well, this happened in North Texas, close to the Oklahoma, Red River boarder. That area gets plenty of snow and ice storms, most years. That's one reason I moved to "snow free" South Texas. Funny thing was, I was moving to get away from the snow and ice....it snowed 13" that January, in South Texas.
Now I have to worry about rattle snakes, too!

 

[User395221]

I think it would be better the meet that black snake than a black bear, which somebody else had the misfortune to encounter.

 

[Folly's place]

So true, and black bears and cougars are moving south from upper Michigan, heading my way! Rattle snakes are small and rare here though. Mary

 

[Chickassan]

We've got rattlesnakes in the south too, I've only seen little ones but that is still plenty enough for me. I've not had a snake one in the coop yet but I'm waiting I know it's coming. Am I ready for it, absolutely not.

 

[Kendrasueh]

I found a large black snake in a nest one night who had three large lumps in its figure. They were FAKE eggs!!! Can you spell indigestion?

 

[Kendrasueh]

Question for duck people... I have a large pond (half acre?) . would my ducks be safe if left to sleep on it at night?? What predators may swim out to get them? and would the ducks startle and swim away at night or will they freeze in the dark like a chicken does??

 

[DwayneNLiz]

Question for duck people... I have a large pond (half acre?) . would my ducks be safe if left to sleep on it at night?? What predators may swim out to get them? and would the ducks startle and swim away at night or will they freeze in the dark like a chicken does??

snapping turtles, fox, coyotes, etc
unsure of what is in your area

 

[jolly wattles]

Gloves and a cooking pot? Lol
Reason why I have a couple homemade snake catchers on hand.
Run a rope through a 1/2 inch pipe and a 1 inch washer on both ends (to keep the rope from sliding back into the pipe). Put a slip knot on one end. Gently slide the slip knot over the snake and pull the rope. Safely securing the snake while keeping you at a distance.

 

[Sara Ranch]

I did capture and relocated the one snake. His friends are still here and have invited more friends. I hear them, but don't see more than a flash of black.

I am down from 27 eggs to 3 a day. And it looks like a zero count today.

The building is too large to snake proof -- there's a design flaw in the metal roof. My emergency building arrived last night. So today and tomorrow, new fencing goes up, predator proofing the building, modifying the shed, and moving the flock into tomorrow. Saturday. Yes, Saturday is moving day.

I am wondering how long it will take to get egg production back up. I guess collecting eggs? Whatever it is, I miss the magic and the joy of collecting fresh eggs!!!

I noticed that the one box that the snake was found in, that another hen slept in each night, has been abandoned. She won't sleep in it anymore. No one goes to that corner of the building anymore.

Picture one - snake moving container
Picture two - the snake glaring and debating about striking after he was released. I didn't stick around to see if he was going to strike. He was ANGRY about his confinement and relocation. He was last seen heading back to the main part of the property. Ugh.