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Hey Tiffany - this snake has been getting 5 or 6 eggs every other day for a couple of weeks now. I'm missing a few baby ducklings that just disappeared so I'm not sure if he got them or not. In the past, snakes have taken a toll on my birds, eggs and finances (not to mention nerves). I have them get inside the house, can't tolerate that. Last year one 8 footer took out 12 guinea keets, 5 peachicks and who knows how many eggs in just one week. That's a huge financial loss as guineas sell from $4 - $12 each and peafowl sells from $35 - $200 each depending on age. And the eggs....$3 - $50 per doz, snakes don't care if they eat "eating" eggs or "hatching" eggs. Sorry if I've offended anyone about the snake, but for me they are a terrible predator, second only to coyotes in the number of birds they kill. I have a bird and egg farm, snakes eat both and in my personal experience they prefer them to mice. But if any of you would like to rehome my snakes, PM me your phone number and I'll call you when I find the next one (or 12). I'd be glad for you to come and get it and remove it. I'd really prefer not to kill any animal. Also, for those of you building pens and coops, hardware cloth is the safest wire to use but snakes can still squeeze in it too sometimes. My dear friend had a snake squeeze in 1/2 x 1/2 hardware cloth on a homemade canary cage (in his basement) and the snake ate 17 canaries and then couldn't get back out. This was in just one day. What a huge loss that was, they were recessive white canaries and very expensive ($100 each or better). So be careful with your baby chicks. This is why I don't put mine out as early as others do.
Well, I am glad you took care of that old snake. I have been looking in my nest boxes before I put my hand in just in case! I am hoping the sulfer is keeping them away but with the rain every day I am having to buy a lot of it and I just can't work all that into my budget.
If one gets into my barn, I take it out. I know they are useful but my chicks are too important to me. Some people think that is the way the world works but to me they are a predator that has to be dealt with, same as a fox or raccoon. I have some nice stock growing up and they slither in and take out my future.
Now maybe you will get more eggs every week. I know it is such a struggle to fill orders when those snakes come up and get the eggs. Food out of your mouths! My problem has always been losing chicks to them instead of eggs though.
Ohhh Joy!! I didn't see the reply earlier~ By all means I'm glad you shot him for eating your eggs and your chicks!!! It was hard to tell from your post if he got any of the chicks or if it was eggs alone. I wasn't suggesting otherwise. I was just sharing the story about me, my tongs, and a snake! (Mind you it was a 3ft snake and skinny!) If I had a snake on the property in the back and it was any threat to us or the animals I wouldn't think twice about killing it. I'm sorry if you misunderstood me!! I have no fear of snakes, of catching them~ So I was only offering my assistance if ever needed~
I know they are a terrible predator right up their with the coons and the hawks. I'm sorry to hear how much damage they have done to you and your birds~ You get BIG snakes there!!! I've never seen any that big~ Have you ever seen that thread on here of the snake catcher some guy made and it looked like it worked awesome! If you didn't let me know I will find it for you~ It may be a good thing to put down around the place to help save your babies and get the snakes before they have a chance to get them and guess what the guy does after he catches them... (Bang-Bang!)
Hey Tiffany - this snake has been getting 5 or 6 eggs every other day for a couple of weeks now. I'm missing a few baby ducklings that just disappeared so I'm not sure if he got them or not. In the past, snakes have taken a toll on my birds, eggs and finances (not to mention nerves). I have them get inside the house, can't tolerate that. Last year one 8 footer took out 12 guinea keets, 5 peachicks and who knows how many eggs in just one week. That's a huge financial loss as guineas sell from $4 - $12 each and peafowl sells from $35 - $200 each depending on age. And the eggs....$3 - $50 per doz, snakes don't care if they eat "eating" eggs or "hatching" eggs. Sorry if I've offended anyone about the snake, but for me they are a terrible predator, second only to coyotes in the number of birds they kill. I have a bird and egg farm, snakes eat both and in my personal experience they prefer them to mice. But if any of you would like to rehome my snakes, PM me your phone number and I'll call you when I find the next one (or 12). I'd be glad for you to come and get it and remove it. I'd really prefer not to kill any animal. Also, for those of you building pens and coops, hardware cloth is the safest wire to use but snakes can still squeeze in it too sometimes. My dear friend had a snake squeeze in 1/2 x 1/2 hardware cloth on a homemade canary cage (in his basement) and the snake ate 17 canaries and then couldn't get back out. This was in just one day. What a huge loss that was, they were recessive white canaries and very expensive ($100 each or better). So be careful with your baby chicks. This is why I don't put mine out as early as others do.
Well, I am glad you took care of that old snake. I have been looking in my nest boxes before I put my hand in just in case! I am hoping the sulfer is keeping them away but with the rain every day I am having to buy a lot of it and I just can't work all that into my budget.
If one gets into my barn, I take it out. I know they are useful but my chicks are too important to me. Some people think that is the way the world works but to me they are a predator that has to be dealt with, same as a fox or raccoon. I have some nice stock growing up and they slither in and take out my future.
Now maybe you will get more eggs every week. I know it is such a struggle to fill orders when those snakes come up and get the eggs. Food out of your mouths! My problem has always been losing chicks to them instead of eggs though.
Ohhh Joy!! I didn't see the reply earlier~ By all means I'm glad you shot him for eating your eggs and your chicks!!! It was hard to tell from your post if he got any of the chicks or if it was eggs alone. I wasn't suggesting otherwise. I was just sharing the story about me, my tongs, and a snake! (Mind you it was a 3ft snake and skinny!) If I had a snake on the property in the back and it was any threat to us or the animals I wouldn't think twice about killing it. I'm sorry if you misunderstood me!! I have no fear of snakes, of catching them~ So I was only offering my assistance if ever needed~
