Peed. My. Pants.

[Crooked Chicken]

I did capture and relocated the one snake.

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!!!

Glad you got the snake relocated. After reading this I looked up blacksnakes again. It says that they "Black Rat Snakes can defend themselves by trying to bite, by vibrating its tail ominously, and by smearing a stinky musk on attacker". I wonder if there could be just the slightest hint of odor that is making your hens uneasy. Maybe a little baking soda was would help.

Here in Missouri all snakes are protected. The only exception is if a 'venomous' snake is in close association with people (not chicken, pets, livestock). Non-venomous snakes can be relocated.

Lisa

 

[jolly wattles]

Glad you got the snake relocated. After reading this I looked up blacksnakes again. It says that they "Black Rat Snakes can defend themselves by trying to bite, by vibrating its tail ominously, and by smearing a stinky musk on attacker". I wonder if there could be just the slightest hint of odor that is making your hens uneasy. Maybe a little baking soda was would help.

Here in Missouri all snakes are protected. The only exception is if a 'venomous' snake is in close association with people (not chicken, pets, livestock). Non-venomous snakes can be relocated.

Lisa

Like I said its illegal in some areas. Not all.

 

[User395221]

I found that spiders are attracted to my Aviary's because of the bugs.... BIG spiders too....

I have pet spiders in my chook run. They eat flies and mosquitos and bugs that I don't like. I've never really understood how people are scared of spiders. Even big spiders are little compared to people, they aren't like bears where they can tear you limb from limb. You can just move them, or even squish them if you hate them that much. They can't really do much to you.

 

[BYC910]

So I take you'uns is a little afraid of snakes . You should be. Never know when your going to find one . We have timber rattlers here copper heads banded and solid .Rat snakes in droves . Pretty sure I saw a hog nose run out of a burning brush pile .I've been here a very long time and the only snake ever to get in the hen house I know of was a Big!!!!! rat snake that ate one egg and the golf ball . When I opened the nest door he was laying in the nest and then took off for the hole he came through only got as far as the golf ball though . He would have made it but the golf ball was just a little bigger than the hole It regurgitated the golf ball and some of the egg .Caught it and released it on a game preserve . I need all the help I can get with rats and mice so I leave them alone . Even the poisonous ones . Those don't come around the house they tend to be more timid and reclusive than the non poisonous ones . Snakes love mulch beds easy for them to get into the mulch . They tend to freeze when danger is close to them . You can walk right by one and never know it . And this time of year copperheads and such hunt at night when their main prey is out and about . So watch your step you might hurt the best rat trap ever made .

 

[Nyla]

I don't know either. But I am. Wish I wasn't, but can't seem to get over it! Everyone is different and has their own scares. I guess I'm more scared of getting bit and having a big hurting bump from a spider bite.

I have pet spiders in my chook run. They eat flies and mosquitos and bugs that I don't like. I've never really understood how people are scared of spiders. Even big spiders are little compared to people, they aren't like bears where they can tear you limb from limb. You can just move them, or even squish them if you hate them that much. They can't really do much to you.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

snake is just trying to survive in the wild and stumbled upon the nest. there are rodents in your area. that is his main staple.

 

[Ste]

Nope! Nope! Nope! Would not catch me gathering eggs again.

 

[jcoz]

My one Speckled Sussex ate two snakes in one day. They were big, but not that big. Running around the yard, with the flock in tow, slurpin it down like a noodle. Gross yet funny at the same time. Comparing size of the snake to my bird, I was like, are you kidding me? She was tripping over it as she was running and swallowing it. Disturbing day...

 

[User395221]

Everyone is different and has their own scares.

oh sure, I just don't understand that one. it's quite a common one. I remember a member on another forum not being able to even look at pictures of spiders on the forum.

The girl who comes to help clean my hutches/coops is afraid of - wait for it -

chickens!

 

[jcoz]

oh sure, I just don't understand that one. it's quite a common one. I remember a member on another forum not being able to even look at pictures of spiders on the forum.

The girl who comes to help clean my hutches/coops is afraid of - wait for it -

chickens!

Chickens always have an alt agenda. Never let your guard down.