Texas

[tjo804]

So the chicks are outside for the first full night. They are 5+ weeks old. I am feeling kinda like when one of the children had their first overnight at a friends house.
I keep checkin on em. not sure how late I can keep that up but I just want them to be safe.

 

[Rustys Girls]

I appreciate, and respect, your point of view, and I do realize they (snakes) are beneficial to the eco- system, but I live on, and manage 24 acres in southeast Texas. The weather patterns have been bringing the snakes out of the woodwork, so to speak. There isn't a day that goes by, here lately, that my wife or I, have not seen at least 2 snakes, mostly copperheads. I almost syepped on a moccasin the day before yesterday. I have to keep my family and animals safe. If one of us gets bit, it will cost approx. $30,000.00 just for the antivenom. Obamacare does not cover this.

I have been bitten twice in my lifetime, once by a copperhead and once by a moccasin. Neither was any fun. Therefore, if I see a snake close to my house or anywhere near where we have to walk to get things done around here, I will dispatch it without remorse.

Don't ever take antitivenin or "antivenom" unless you are hit in an artery, and I get you dislike snakes, but $30,000 for antivenin??? Are you flying to Switzerland to be treated?

 

[Eliza1313]

Hello everyone. We just bought 8 acres in Liberty Hill, TX, but we are originally from the Houston area. We are hoping to pick up a mixed batch of chickens today. I raised chickens for 4H when I was a teenager, but that has been some time ago, and is very different from what we would like to do now. Our land is fully fenced with barbed wire and we were hoping to free range our birds. Additionally we are wanting to avoid gmo feed, but I am even unsure how much they need with free ranging. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

If you are looking for GMO free feed, also soy free, check out Texas Natural Feeds and H and H Feeds. Both are Texas based companies, and I believe they have a retailer search on their websites. If I remember correctly H and H will even ship if you do not have a local retailer nearby. There are threads concerning both on BYC. I am using the Texas Natural Feeds currently. I have also used the H and H chick starter. I did notice an increase in the number of soft shells I was getting after switching over to the TX Nat Layer Crumbles from Purina Leyena, but my hens were not eating the oyster shell even though it was available. Used a reptile calcium supplement to get them back to normal, then started offering a mix of ground eggshells and the oyster shell. No problem since. For smaller chicks, such as bantams, I would recommend the H and H starter as it is ground more finely. TX Nat only comes in 50 lb bags, except the chick starter which they have in 5 lb bags also. H and H in 20 lb or 40 lb bags. Neither has a general flock feed.

I need to do more research concerning the sources of the calcium content in the different feeds. The percentages are the same, so I think the source may not be as readily usable by the birds. Once I have done that research I might start doing a mix of the TX Nat and H & H. Once I have combined the older hens in with the new birds I will be switching to the TX Nat Pullet Grower for all of my birds to keep the calcium level in the feed lower, unless I keep the males in a separate pen.

 

[Briza]

If you are looking for GMO free feed, also soy free, check out Texas Natural Feeds and H and H Feeds. Both are Texas based companies, and I believe they have a retailer search on their websites. If I remember correctly H and H will even ship if you do not have a local retailer nearby. There are threads concerning both on BYC. I am using the Texas Natural Feeds currently. I have also used the H and H chick starter. I did notice an increase in the number of soft shells I was getting after switching over to the TX Nat Layer Crumbles from Purina Leyena, but my hens were not eating the oyster shell even though it was available. Used a reptile calcium supplement to get them back to normal, then started offering a mix of ground eggshells and the oyster shell. No problem since. For smaller chicks, such as bantams, I would recommend the H and H starter as it is ground more finely. TX Nat only comes in 50 lb bags, except the chick starter which they have in 5 lb bags also. H and H in 20 lb or 40 lb bags. Neither has a general flock feed.

I need to do more research concerning the sources of the calcium content in the different feeds. The percentages are the same, so I think the source may not be as readily usable by the birds. Once I have done that research I might start doing a mix of the TX Nat and H & H. Once I have combined the older hens in with the new birds I will be switching to the TX Nat Pullet Grower for all of my birds to keep the calcium level in the feed lower, unless I keep the males in a separate pen.

I'm using H&H as well and am happy with it. I'm allergic to soy to the point where I can't even touch anything made with it so most feeds were out of the question. They're excellent about answering questions. I had this paranoid fear about the "animal protein" thinking it might be chicken and they got back to me a few hours later assuring me that there was no chicken in their chicken feed. We're sticking with them because of that customer service.

 

[RoosterCogburn7]

Around here snakes are allowed to live until they start messing with birds. Only two snakes are killed sight seen: Copperheads, and coral snakes. Both do not live another day.

We lost a dog to a copperhead in March. He was a good dog...

I kill all snakes. I am not going to guess when it comes to taking care of the family or livestock.

 

[RoosterCogburn7]

This has come into the back of my mind....as if I go forward with chickens...I may well face a dilemma...(notice my avatar) ....I've spent more than ten years trying to educate the people in my neighborhood not to kill these helpful and valuable snakes with Oscar as my living ambassador...handled by a couple of hundred people (most young kids)...

I explained that these are very beneficial creatures and help to keep rodent populations in check and should be left alone....(The major reason they are killed is they are mistaken for copperheads and it's senseless and usless, unecessary destruction of a beneficial creature.... I have a soft spot in my heart for them....even though the Texas variety is possibly the meanest snake alive....

BUT.....Now we have a little different scenario....this snake is actually doing some harm....I would love to come capture and relocate it....but 'Cut and Shoot' is a fer piece away....(BTW: Out of the two.....I recommend "shoot" dealing with this snake. .22 with rat shot will accomplish the task very handily).....

I hate to see any of these magnificent creatures destroyed.....but it's your problem and you have the right to deal with it as you see fit.....Texas will survive with one less misbehaving rat snake.....

It's the idiots that brag about killing a "big copperhead " that was just trying to help rid their trashy butts of vermin that really upset me.....SENSELESS!!!!!

EDIT: BTW: Forgot to mention: 'Oscar' is a 5' Texas rat snake I've raised from a baby....and a real sweetheart....

I once took .38 snake shot to a Timber Rattler in New Mexico. Three shots just made it angry. I switched to lead. I has long since stopped being angry about anything.

 

[1FlewOver]

I once took .38 snake shot to a Timber Rattler in New Mexico.  Three shots just made it angry.  I switched to lead.  I has long since stopped being angry about anything.

What? Were you shooting it in the butt? Seriously, at 15'....no way it survives a head shot....you must have been back aways?

EDIT: Wait.....how long was the barrel?.....those 3" Saturday Night Specials....lose the pattern pretty quick....my .22 Ruger has a 6 1/2" barrel....so...it throws a real tight pattern for about 20'....

 

[orumpoultry]

I've seen Timber rattlers survive their head being cut off for up to four hours.

Two hours after beheading one, we cut her open to skin het and she was still striking at us. Even without a head. Low and behold we then dropped about a dozen ready to birth babies out of her.... Talk about a Mexican hat dance.

 

[1FlewOver]

I've seen Timber rattlers survive their head being cut off for up to four hours.

Two hours after beheading one, we cut her open to skin het and she was still striking at us. Even without a head. Low and behold we then dropped about a dozen ready to birth babies out of her.... Talk about a Mexican hat dance.

Ummmmmmm......I got nothin!!!!

Seriously, I usually have some kind of story to relate that hinges on the unbelievable....but is true....all I can say is....I believe you...(had some semi-similar experiences that tell me snakes have reflex responses long after they are dead)....all I can say is...wish I was there....cool story...did you kill all the babies? ....Or stick a couple in your pocket to tease the little woman with when ya got home?,....JK...

 

[kenmlang]

Don't ever take antitivenin or "antivenom" unless you are hit in an artery, and I get you dislike snakes, but $30,000 for antivenin??? Are you flying to Switzerland to be treated?

You need to check out some medical billing sites. This will bring to you to reality. Snakebite treatment is big bucks. I know of a few victims that have paid this much , and more to get treated right here in Texas>.