The Omega Rocks: The Last & Ultimate Barred Plymouth Rock Flock

[speckledhen]

I think I'm about to scream obscenities, too, Hillbilly Hen! I was closing up the barn, went to the back to put something down and saw a mass of something on the floor with what I thought was a rat tail sticking out of it. I got the small maglite we hang in the back storage area and found that it was a juvenile rat snake that was caught and wrapped around three of the mouse traps. I called for my poor husband who released one of the traps and then, pressed a rake on its head so he could pick it up behind the back of the head and release the other two traps from its body. He threw it far over the fence and into the trees.
What is going on here? Are they breeding in the barn? <<shudder>>

I removed the bands from the sale cockerels as well as Nathaniel and Duncan's bands. I have no trouble remembering who is who among those four males and what pens they came out of without the band; their combs are all so different so not a problem. I replaced the almost too tight purple band on Angus's leg because he is so similar to Duncan that I want a bit more time to be able to recognize him by the subtle differences in his comb to distinguish him from Duncan. They do look a lot alike and are of similar size and I'm used to having the bands to verify who was who. But, now at least, I don't have to worry about the bands becoming too tight and Angus's new one is fairly loose.
*edited for using the wrong names and confusing everyone*

 

[speckledhen]

I changed the post above. I removed all bands except for Angus's purple one because he and Duncan (black band) are so darn alike that I didn't want to instantly confuse the two as soon as all the bands were gone. I reversed Angus and Duncan's names in that post. Good thing I re-read it. Been a long, hot trying summer and my brain has melted.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I changed the post above. I removed all bands except for Angus's purple one because he and Duncan (black band) are so darn alike that I didn't want to instantly confuse the two as soon as all the bands were gone. I reversed Angus and Duncan's names in that post. Good thing I re-read it. Been a long, hot trying summer and my brain has melted.

I was more shocked by the snake, and couldn't see anything past that. I'd never go back into my chicken shed ever again.

 

[speckledhen]

I was more shocked by the snake, and couldn't see anything past that. I'd never go back into my chicken shed ever again.

I was shocked myself...I mean, c'mon, snakes in the barn two days in a row? Good grief, I hope this isn't a new thing. It's likely only because it's been so darn hot lately, a reptile's dream. At least a mouse has no chance in that barn right now.

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

I was shocked myself...I mean, c'mon, snakes in the barn two days in a row? Good grief, I hope this isn't a new thing. It's likely only because it's been so darn hot lately, a reptile's dream. At least a mouse has no chance in that barn right now.

I'd have no chance in your barn either.
I'm terribly terrified of snakes. Probably because of having grown up in GA and my own mom was afraid of them too. However, here in MI, I don't have to worry about poisonous snakes except for one. The Michigan rattlesnake. It's not seen very often and it will most likely just make you sick. At least that's what I've been told. I try to tell myself that I have nothing to be afraid of but unfortunately I have a hard time listening to myself sometimes.

 

[1muttsfan]

I'm actually quite a snake fan. If you are finding them in your barn it is likely because they are finding food, most likely rats mice etc.

Those are cute little fellows Lisa!

 

[speckledhen]

I'm actually quite a snake fan. If you are finding them in your barn it is likely because they are finding food, most likely rats mice etc

Very true. I had begun catching mice again in the barn, then they were completely absent for two weeks and then, snakes. I don't see signs of rats anymore, not in a very long time. Unless they come inside when the doors are actually open, they can't really get in unless they chew through the floorboards in the pens or crawl slick steel exterior walls to come in here the gap is at the top of the rollup door, not after we poured concrete in the only section at the back that was still bare floor. Then, we caught the last one that was hiding somewhere in the walls during the day, got caught in two traps at once. He was a big one.
Mice, on the other hand, have no trouble getting around that door track in the back. I've also seen a complete absence of mice around the other nearby building lately as well and it was full of signs of them, plus we were catching one every couple of days. Then, a giant rat snake slithered from inside the garden, crossed the walk and went under that building and no more mice. They really do a service and that, I am definitely a fan of, as long as they're not poisonous. But I'd rather not have to handle them. That's my husband's job.

 

[speckledhen]

No more snakes so far.
I have tried three times to put the EE hens out with the Omega Rocks. First day, they pretty much stayed separate, no big tussles. Second day, the young teen boys treated them like interlopers, but didn't engage much. Third time, oh boy. The three cockerels advanced on them iike they were confronting a predator as a united front; all three came up as a team, one on each flank and one in the center. They flogged them and chased them around and finally got bored of that and ignored them, except for Nathaniel. He followed them around and observed them at a distance for the most part. Those hormones are kicking in, but they still likely have no idea what the proper response would be if one miraculously squatted, LOL.
I hope this will work out and they'll begin to accept them. I think it would be great if they could be added to that group and leave the bantam Cochins alone. All the EE hens think chasing Dove is good sport. Poor little Dovie gets her daily head thunks.

 

[1muttsfan]

I always cringe when someone gets a good thump on the noggin

 

[speckledhen]

I always cringe when someone gets a good thump on the noggin

If Im present, I always yell for them to leave her alone and go rescue her. I have to because she is my emotional support chicken