About 3 days ago my DH and I were out checking the animals in the barnyard. Our blue Muscovy was off her nest so I went to check it for chicken eggs(they like to lay in the duck nests). I saw what I thought was a dark feather on her nest and went to pick it up. Imagine my shock when I touched a freakin' snake!!!! I yelled at DH to grab a shovel or hoe. I'm not one to want to kill things, I normally try to relocate them to a more remote area, but this thing ticked me off trying to eat my babies eggs!! We did kill it despite both hoe and shovel being dull as rocks!! Well, tonight as I was shutting everyone up, one of the other Muscovy's in the same shed was talking to me quite a bit. I started to walk out but did a double take and she had another huge rat snake about 2 inches from her. I ran grabbed the dull hoe and tried to kill it but I kept dropping the flashlight and couldn't see it. I got several good swipes at it so I hope I injured it enough that it won't be back......but I know better. I'm going tomorrow to buy a new hoe and shovel and leave them in the shed so I'll be prepared next time. I'm just so mad I wasn't able to kill it. Neither snake had gotten any of the eggs. I'm wondering if the Muscovy duck eggs are too big for them to get. I'll bet the ducklings aren't and they are due to hatch anytime now. Any hints/tips on detering them that won't desturb the 3 duck hens sitting on eggs in there??
