Texas

[MandyJ]

Had a scary one last night, we have 7 ducks (5 ducklings, 7 weeks old and 2 adult Pekins) they are in a 10 x 10 chain link enclosure (dog pen) sitting on a platform. About 10 pm we heard one or two of the ducks cutting up which was unusual for them. We went out and checked and could see nothing. When we went out later around 11 to pick up their food for the night I went into the enclosure, all the ducks went bananas (not unusual) when I went in, except one of the ducklings (she's almost as big as the adults) was pulling and screaming like she was stuck on something. I went over to help her thinking she was stuck; when I got to her she was straining to get away from a snake!!!! He had her by the tail, when the snake saw me it turned the duck loose, poor snake only had a mouthful of feathers. I don't know how he was going to swallow her, she is huge!! Needless to say there is one less snake in this part of Texas! Scary though!

The ducks are in a chain link fenced enclosure which will stop MOST of the predators, but NOT snakes. The only way I can figure to stop them is to completely enclose the enclosure with hardware cloth. Too expensive, can anyone think of anything else? The dog enclosure is sitting on a 12 x 12 wooden platform to keep animals from digging under the fence but of course the snake just crawled through.

Thanks in advance.

 

[MandyJ]

This is our duck enclosure.

 

[Ren2014]

Quote:

And to think I woke up all worried about the dears eating my fruit trees and flowers.

Once again, sorry for the loss of duck & eggs.

Thank you.

Quote:

Had a scary one last night, we have 7 ducks (5 ducklings, 7 weeks old and 2 adult Pekins) they are in a 10 x 10 chain link enclosure (dog pen) sitting on a platform. About 10 pm we heard one or two of the ducks cutting up which was unusual for them. We went out and checked and could see nothing. When we went out later around 11 to pick up their food for the night I went into the enclosure, all the ducks went bananas (not unusual) when I went in, except one of the ducklings (she's almost as big as the adults) was pulling and screaming like she was stuck on something. I went over to help her thinking she was stuck; when I got to her she was straining to get away from a snake!!!! He had her by the tail, when the snake saw me it turned the duck loose, poor snake only had a mouthful of feathers. I don't know how he was going to swallow her, she is huge!! Needless to say there is one less snake in this part of Texas! Scary though!

The ducks are in a chain link fenced enclosure which will stop MOST of the predators, but NOT snakes. The only way I can figure to stop them is to completely enclose the enclosure with hardware cloth. Too expensive, can anyone think of anything else? The dog enclosure is sitting on a 12 x 12 wooden platform to keep animals from digging under the fence but of course the snake just crawled through.

Thanks in advance.

OMG, thank goodness you got out there. What kind of snake? I didn't know snakes ate live animals. I thought they constricted them to death first. When we've pulled snakes from our martin houses we usually find a dead adult

This is our duck enclosure.

Very nice. I would suggest a skirting of bird netting. Ruffle it up kind of like a tutu and put it at the entrance of the ramp as well.

Our night pen is fully enclosed in hardware cloth. Problem was, the muscovies are not put up at night. I thought since they could fly... learned the hard way. I was told by a breeder that a broody will not fly away and will stay and fight for their eggs.

 

[Ren2014]

Thank you all for your input on predators. I believe in predator proof pens and livestock guardian dogs and a gun nearby. Unfortunately, we are down to just one G Pyr right now and one young Akbash in training. I'm certain it wasn't a coyote because that would have gotten the G Pyr's attention. Our G Pyr tends to stay closer to the chickens. The chickens are in the front and the ducks are in the back. I can't expect her to be in both places at the same time. When we lost our other G Pry due to climbing and roaming we decided to try an Akbash. So far he doesn't seem to be a guardian

dog.

 

[MandyJ]

Quote:
Thank you.

Quote:
OMG, thank goodness you got out there. What kind of snake? I didn't know snakes ate live animals. I thought they constricted them to death first. When we've pulled snakes from our martin houses we usually find a dead adult

Very nice. I would suggest a skirting of bird netting. Ruffle it up kind of like a tutu and put it at the entrance of the ramp as well.

Our night pen is fully enclosed in hardware cloth. Problem was, the muscovies are not put up at night. I thought since they could fly... learned the hard way. I was told by a breeder that a broody will not fly away and will stay and fight for their eggs.

I don't know what kind of snake. We called it a "chicken snake" LOL! I have heard of snakes killing chickens (by strangulation) but for the life of me I can't understand why, they can't swallow them or "chew" pieces off. Their teeth are in rows top and bottom but they aren't very big. But yes, I am glad we got there in time. Poor duck!!!!

Why would I put bird netting around the entrance of the ramp? I'm clueless????!!!!!

Since we have the little ones, they haven't learned how to do things, we have put plywood up on each side leading up to the entrance of the ramp and up the side of the ramp. Hopefully I'll be able to move this soon. But...they have to be taught how to come and go. Mainly come! They haven't learned yet that when I am calling from the duck house they are to come! LOL Enticing them with food hasn't worked yet. We'll keep trying!

 

[bnjrob]

I don't know what kind of snake. We called it a "chicken snake" LOL! I have heard of snakes killing chickens (by strangulation) but for the life of me I can't understand why, they can't swallow them or "chew" pieces off. Their teeth are in rows top and bottom but they aren't very big. But yes, I am glad we got there in time. Poor duck!!!!

Why would I put bird netting around the entrance of the ramp? I'm clueless????!!!!!

Since we have the little ones, they haven't learned how to do things, we have put plywood up on each side leading up to the entrance of the ramp and up the side of the ramp. Hopefully I'll be able to move this soon. But...they have to be taught how to come and go. Mainly come! They haven't learned yet that when I am calling from the duck house they are to come! LOL Enticing them with food hasn't worked yet. We'll keep trying!

Snakes get caught in the bird netting. We had one come into the garage and get tangled in a roll of it. But you have to make sure the birds don't get stuck. Our idiot guineas are forever getting trapped in the aviary netting that covers our turkey pen because it hangs down to the ground.

 

[MandyJ]

Thank you all for your input on predators. I believe in predator proof pens and livestock guardian dogs and a gun nearby. Unfortunately, we are down to just one G Pyr right now and one young Akbash in training. I'm certain it wasn't a coyote because that would have gotten the G Pyr's attention. Our G Pyr tends to stay closer to the chickens. The chickens are in the front and the ducks are in the back. I can't expect her to be in both places at the same time. When we lost our other G Pry due to climbing and roaming we decided to try an Akbash. So far he doesn't seem to be a guardian

dog.

I have a mutt that guards the ducklings. I thought we were going to have a problem when we first got them, the dog would chase away the older ducks. Then the older ducks got to where they were attacking the dog. I think that was stress from them seeing the little ones. Anyway...it has worked itself out. Thankfully! Everyone is happy...kinda! The adults don't understand WHY they have to put up with "the mob" (what we call the 5 ducklings)!

Good luck with the training.

 

[Ren2014]

I don't know what kind of snake. We called it a "chicken snake" LOL! I have heard of snakes killing chickens (by strangulation) but for the life of me I can't understand why, they can't swallow them or "chew" pieces off. Their teeth are in rows top and bottom but they aren't very big. But yes, I am glad we got there in time. Poor duck!!!!

Why would I put bird netting around the entrance of the ramp? I'm clueless????!!!!!

Since we have the little ones, they haven't learned how to do things, we have put plywood up on each side leading up to the entrance of the ramp and up the side of the ramp. Hopefully I'll be able to move this soon. But...they have to be taught how to come and go. Mainly come! They haven't learned yet that when I am calling from the duck house they are to come! LOL Enticing them with food hasn't worked yet. We'll keep trying!

Sorry, should have given more detail... the bird netting traps any snakes trying to climb up into the pen. We've used it on our martin poles. The snake gets trapped and you will have to remove it. The netting is what I've used on chain link pens. It works. I will try to post a picture.

 

[MandyJ]

Sorry, should have given more detail... the bird netting traps any snakes trying to climb up into the pen. We've used it on our martin poles. The snake gets trapped and you will have to remove it. The netting is what I've used on chain link pens. It works. I will try to post a picture.

Do you hang the netting from the top of the enclosure all the way to the ground? Or just a skirting? Interesting idea.

 

[Ren2014]

Do you hang the netting from the top of the enclosure all the way to the ground? Or just a skirting? Interesting idea.

I'm still looking for a 'friendly' picture. Unfortunately all that I'm finding show dead snakes. Google bird netting baffle. Basically you bunch it up and kinda make a layer or two and staple to the bottom of the pen... or bunch some up and wrap around the legs of the pen.