surprise in the coop

[panner123]

Went out to feed chickens and collect the eggs this morning and got the surprise of my life. One of my older hens has been trying to brood for days and I won't let her still to cold here. As she tried her best to peck and fight for her nest I saw a strange movement under her. So at the cost of my fingers, I grab her up, only to find a rattler under her. Good thing it is cold out or I would now be setting in the hospital. It couldn't have been there long for it was slow moving. Once the hen was off the nest all the chickens headed for the door. Me a step or two behind them. I went back in with a LOOOONG handle rake and removed and sent it to his maker. Can't have them around with the grand kids now playing in the yard. I am only thankful I didn't just reach under her to get the egg she usually has under her.

 

[underground chickenman]

That's one determined broody to stay on the nest while a rattler curls up underneath her. That's amazing. Glad you weren't hurt.

UGCM

 

[akcountrygrrl]

OMG!!!

I think I would have run out of there too. I can't believe she let it curl up under her...

 

[suzettex5]

YIKES!!!

That would have scared the Ba-Gee-Sus outta me!! I hadnt even thought about that as a possibility. From now on, I will not be just grabbing blindly under my broody- I will be lifting her up, just in case. THANK YOU for the story, it could save peoples lives!

So glad you're ok!

 

[SilverPhoenix]

Wow, that's totally crazy! Good thing you didn't get bitten.

 

[catdaddy66]

WOW!! You were luckier than you have the right to be

!

That is as unexpected a houseguest as you would...expect! The hen is the luckiest of all though she is marvelously oblivious of the danger. Keep a vigilent watch on your flock and you will be rewarded handsomely!

 

[bobbi-j]

OH!! I'm pretty sure I'd have dropped the poor chicken right back ontop of the snake! Glad all turned out well.

 

[Flippacase]

the snake was probably there for warmth...and...the chicken wanted to be a momma, so maybe it figured it could foster a rattlesnkae....

 

[tryingtohaveitall]

YIKES!!! How scary. Ok, maybe living in Ohio isn't so bad after all, especially in the spring.

 

[tigerkitten45]

CRIPES!! Boy was that a close call! I am so glad we have very few poisonous snakes in NH!! I grew up in PA, and was always on the look out for rattlers and copperheads back then! Am so glad everyone was ok, i think i would be obsessed now at finding how it got in!