Peed. My. Pants.

[Chickenlover2017]

Cool vulture!

I used to have a horse who was afraid of so MANY things! He even nearly bucked me off, when a large dry leaf fell!
Regarding snakes, I live in southern Colorado, and it is perfect snake country, especially rattlers. One very decent thing though, is that they tend to warn you before they do anything. You see, if a ratter gets nervous (maybe you are too close?), it uses it's rattle, and man--they are loud. Fortunately for me, whenever I have encountered a rattler near my home--usually in the woodpile--they blast that rattle to alert me. Then I go into the garage and get my trusty hoe. It is a perfect snake tool for me. I don't have to get any close than about 8 feet, and can scoop any snake up, and toss it into the clear, away from places to hide from me. Then I simply use the how to dispatch the snake. One good chopping swing, and off goes it's head. Then I simply toss it away from my house, and wait for any variety of critter to eat the carcass. I can even share a pic of a vulture cleaning up the remains of one rattler! Check it out:


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[jcoz]

I feel the need to confess my greatest fear.....toads! Toads and frogs! Ugh a shiver just ran down me. I know its dumb and irrational but I cant even walk by them.

Chickens might be your greatest asset on keeping them at bay

 

[andreanar]

Chickens might be your greatest asset on keeping them at bay

Yes, everytime they fight over them, I cringe!

 

[gilbert2]

I also have a frog population on my property. When I bought this land, there had been a 7-year drought. But for the last couple of years, it is rained so much, there is wildlive like never before! I have some pix to share:

And my old duck enclosure, which I am currently tearing down:

When I finish the new duck home, I will post some pix.
Gil

 

[3riverschick]

Did the original poster get rid of the big black snake?
Karen

 

[Sara Ranch]

I removed the nesting boxes. No more dark surprises! At least not there.

Girls are molting and not laying now anyways. I'll be relocating the flock in a week or two.