Silkie thread!

[Suzierd]

Just had a very close call with a blacksnake!
I'm no stranger to snakes having grown up in Florida and have dispatched Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes and even a Coral Snake on one occasion, but I have a snake / chicken related question.

I had spent most of the day setting up a smaller run for the roosters so that we could put out our buff orps for the first time without being accosted.
The run only had wire around the four sides but nothing on top.

I looked out the window about an hour ago and I'm not sure what struck me, but I had a feeling that something was wrong.
I went outside and saw the boys clustered in one end and starting to panic and then I saw about a 6 foot blacksnake making it's way into the run.
I got the chance to toss one of the three roosters out of the run before the snake struck Moe and started to coil around him.
I grabbed the snake about a third of the way from his tail and whipped it hard twice which dislodged Moe, who went flying to the ground outside the run and I let the snake go since I could tell it was doubling back for me.
Moe was freaked out as was I and I know he got bit, but he's safe for the moment.
My question is, I know a snake would go after eggs and chicks, but why on earth would it go for a 19-1/2 week old Silkie?
Should I be looking for infection on Moe and how do I go about fortifying the runs?
I would hate to have to shoot a black snake since they are beneficial, but I can't have the biggest one I've ever seen killing my chickens.

Yokes! That's coming to the rescue in the nick of time! So glad you got there when you did. I would get rid of that snake! Use the quarter inch hardware cloth everywhere! On top too. Best of luck sorry one got bite. Great save!

 

[chickee]

I have a chocolate colored hen. I bought her as a pullet though and do not know her background genetics.

Wow! She is beautiful! I love chocolate colored poultry!

 

[Suzierd]

Is there anyone in the gorge or portland Oregon with silkie chickens looking to buy some?

I'm about three hours from Portland will have some when the hens are ready to let them go. You may find someone closer.

 

[Suzierd]

I have a chocolate colored hen. I bought her as a pullet though and do not know her background genetics.

Love this color, beautiful!

 

[Fur N Feathers]

Wow! She is beautiful! I love chocolate colored poultry! 

Love this color, beautiful!

Thank you both! I love her lots. I like the more unusual colors the most, I think. I've had two chocolate babies hatch, but one got trampled and died and a skunk got the other one. Unfortunately I haven't had any hatch out that color since. Of course that was just solid chocolate baby down too. They may have feathered out totally different.

 

[subhanalah]

The thing I'm surprised about is that though I know a black snake will eat eggs, and chicks, I never thought one would try to kill something it could never swallow.
One thing was for sure and that was it was intent on constricting and killing the rooster.
We're on the lookout now and have placed the roosters in a another spot until we can find the perpetrator.
As much as I hate to have to, I'm going to have to get rid of the snake because it's just a matter of time until he comes back.

I know where I can get the wound spray online, but what about the vitamin C powder?

Snakes typically try to evade confrontation, but when faced with an offensive attack (like a rooster protecting his flock) the snake WILL defend itself, even if it can't eat the offender.

I believe you can get ascorbic acid from indian/Asian markets, near the spice aisl.

 

[Suzierd]

They will try to eat something to big for them and when they can't swallow it spit it out.

 

[mystonedgarden]

So I was thinking about useing an old 40 gallon breeder aquarium (36"x18"x16") that I used for a lizard in the past for my chicks when they come. I have a screen top and heat lamps from the past lizard aswell so I thought it would be a good idea. But what do you all think?

like many have said, as long as you monitor the temp, you should be fine. I used my old 40g bearded dragon juvy tank as a temp brooder years back. It worked just great. The chicks will grow out of it pretty fast though.

 

[Pennychickens]

Where about are you you may be closer to me I live in hood river oregon?

 

[The Hustons]

Hello everyone! I'm new to silkies & crazy over them !! So sweet! I have 4 8 week old silkies & am looking to add some more!. The ones I've found nearby are only few days old .Can they go in w/ the others during the day (in the run)? Guessing they still need light at night as temps at night are around 70?? We raised our red sex links from teeny chicks would silkies be similar or need diff attn...any advice is greatly appreciated .