The Old Folks Home

[Lynn Manes]

Been super busy this weekend getting sewing projects done. I have a list now so I don't forget what I have planned and so that I don't add more projects until I get some of these done. I got two off my list this weekend. The top is a table runner I made for my friend. It was super easy to make. Only took a couple of hours. Got the row by row done this morning along with a label. I am hoping that I can win the fabric at one of the four shops that still don't have a winner on Friday. I can't play hooky this week because I am the one in charge.

Very nice

 

[Lynn Manes]

I was doing my coop chores today, and used my rooster stick to get a cobweb down, when lo and behold a black racer dropped at my feet.  Scared me.  It ran off.  I mentioned it to the property owner, and he insisted I not kill it, but agreed I could put moth balls around the perimeter of the coop.  I got two big boxes.  Tomorrow we will mow, and I will make sure it is nowhere inside the coop area, then put down the moth balls.  I don't want it eating any more eggs.

Are these snakes poisonous? Just curious as to why the property owner said don't kill it? If you pay him rent, and these are your chickens, I'd think it would not be his business to tell you how to protect your animals . Don't know the circumstances, but just saying.

 

[ronott1]

Are these snakes poisonous? Just curious as to why the property owner said don't kill it? If you pay him rent, and these are your chickens, I'd think it would not be his business to tell you how to protect your animals . Don't know the circumstances, but just saying.

They are not poisonous--they eat a lot of vermin--and eggs.

around here we have a green racer snake. It is very hard to see when it is up in a tree or in green grass.

 

[perchie.girl]

I have legs and I don't run.

I have legs and I roll....

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote:
Even poisonous snakes are beneficial... In general in California there are very few snakes of any kind that are large enough to eat chicken eggs. But I suspect many will snag a chick if they can

I live in Rattle snake country and they are big... while clearing out a fire-brake around my house for me a neighbor killed two that were about four feet long each and about three to four inches in diameter... full of eggs. um...they were females ready to lay eggs... But to be honest I have only seen one close to my house and one out on the road heading for shade... In the past 15 years.

But because there are rattlesnakes there are also king snakes of many varieties. they will eat rattlesnakes.

They all come for the mice and rats attracted to chicken feed. So the best defense against snakes is good poultry house management. Hardware cloth to keep the mice out but it also has a benefit of keeping snakes out as well. Dont leave feed out for mice to get into.

Mothballs are a deterrent but they dont last very long they are designed to evaporated giving off an odor. I am surprised someon suggested it though. Snakes smell through their tongue...

http://www.wildlife-removal.com/snakemothballs.html

deb

 

[Cynthia12]

Diva is already helping out with the bus routine.

 

[Woodsdweller]

Quote: But yer changing that... keep it up.

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote: But yer changing that... keep it up.

Yep weigh in day today... Hopefully I will have lost what I gained last weigh in....

deb

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I rarely get serious ZZzzs anymore... Lucky if I get into REM/deep sleep for more than an hour at a time. But so's you know, I am recently departed from said recliner to visit here and post what you're reading So I've been dozing for the past hour or so. Watching/listening to the Denver/49ers game for background noise. My eldest daughter is a 49ers fan. Right now, they're not doing too well.

I've gone short on sleep for many years in my life. Whenever I was deprived too long, I always got sick.
I haven't been sick since I've been getting enough rest. That's about 9 years.

GUYS!
Don't bum me out with insignificant (

) details. You are throwing off my groove.

Joe, the title I would prefer is "Ex-Cop" instead of "Retired Cop." The latter seems to imply that I will still be a cop once I retire, and that is not my plan.

I do not plan to be an outlaw, either, but given the choice between the two ..... well, you know, "Been there, done that" comes to mind.

Make your plans. Don't let us dissuade you.

Oh I know your music.... Emmerson Lake and Palmer

"Show Me The Way To Go Home"

Show me the way to go home
I'm tired and I want to go to bed
I had a little drink about an hour ago
And it’s gone right to my head
......

OR
Jimmy Buffett

"Margaritaville"

Nibblin' on sponge cake,
watchin' the sun bake;
All of those tourists covered with oil.
Strummin' my six string on my front porch swing.
Smell those shrimp
They're beginnin' to boil.

Wasted away again in Margaritaville,
Searchin' for my lost shaker of salt.
Some people claim that there's a woman to blame,
But I know it's nobody's fault.

deb

The last one sounds better sitting at a beach bar sipping one.

I was doing my coop chores today, and used my rooster stick to get a cobweb down, when lo and behold a black racer dropped at my feet. Scared me. It ran off. I mentioned it to the property owner, and he insisted I not kill it, but agreed I could put moth balls around the perimeter of the coop. I got two big boxes. Tomorrow we will mow, and I will make sure it is nowhere inside the coop area, then put down the moth balls. I don't want it eating any more eggs.

What's a rooster stick?
Have you been losing eggs to them?

Cars don't have legs, and they run, too - most of the time.

@dsqard - the row by row is a winner in my book, but I can't help but smile at the prize - more fabric? Talk about feeding the addiction!

Ice cream runs too, doesn't it Diva?

Are these snakes poisonous? Just curious as to why the property owner said don't kill it? If you pay him rent, and these are your chickens, I'd think it would not be his business to tell you how to protect your animals . Don't know the circumstances, but just saying.

Not poisonous. Very few snakes in the US are. Rattlesnakes, copperheads, water moccasin and coral are the only ones that come to mind.

Snakes are about the most effective mouse and rat control. Think about the tiny spaces they can get into that no other predator can. There are a couple snakes that live in the spaces under my bluestone front steps. I see snakes in my garden and around the buildings almost every day. They always startle me at first but I wouldn't harm them. I feel fortunate to have them.

The snakes are in much more danger from the chickens than the chickens are from them. They may eat eggs or a chick but I've never had that happen. I would be overrun with rodents without them.

As Perchie Girl said, even poisonous snakes are valuable. Normally, out on the farm, I wouldn't kill them either. I'm just uncomfortable with them around the house. So many people kill them, they aren't common. I've never seen a poisonous snake where I live now.

My opinion only, but I think we should remember that we are the invasive species. I give a wide berth to species that are endemic, whether they be hawks, snakes or foxes. We're just renting space from the original inhabitants.


*************************************************************
I don't do much recreational stuff this time of year but my family and I had a great day yesterday.
The largest multicultural celebration in the Midwest is the Festival of Nations with 1400 people in Tower Grove Park so it wasn't crowded. It was a great day of eating ourselves around the world (40 ethnic food booths). I couldn't get through them all.
There was a world bazaar with gifts, arts, crafts and clothing from over 30 countries.
Ethnic entertainment on 3 stages from Vietnamese, to Spanish to African to Native American.

http://www.festivalofnationsstl.org/index.html


ETA
I picked up a board in the garden a little bit ago and there was a snake coiled under it, waiting patiently for mice. I let him be.

 

[Bunnylady]

Quote: But yer changing that... keep it up.

Yep weigh in day today... Hopefully I will have lost what I gained last weigh in....

deb

My weight loss plan - lunging the minis.

What a workout! Geez - where's the ibuprofen?