You dont have to get over the fear of them, you just need to respect them for what they do for you and for the ecosystem. Without snakes, you would have a lot more rodents. Without King Snakes, there would be many more Rattlers. I dont agree with killing any snakes, venomous or not. People kill them for being there, but WE are the ones who moved into their homes. They cant just pack up and leave because we took over. They can only survive in certain areas. Im not telling you to go up there and catch it, although I do, Im just saying there's no point to chop it into pieces. You can find a long handled rake or shovel and scoop it up. Put it in a bucket and take it far away, It will continue to help the ecosystem by eating varmits, and it wont bug you or your flock. There are people out there that dont like what other people do, but we dont go around chopping their heads off with shovels. We just need to understand that everything has a place on this Earth. I understand that you want to protect your flock, but two wrongs dont make a right. By killing that snake, you make yourself the bad person. You hate them for killing your flock, but you do the same exact thing by killing them. Snakes arent evil creatures, they are the same as dogs or cats, or CHICKENS, they just look different. They live to survive, and we just make it easier by feeding them with our flocks. Predator Proofing your coop helps, but there's always that chance that it wont work. That's your fault, not the snakes. Im not asking you to not fear them, because its natural for people to fear things that they dont understand or are not used to. I was raised with chickens, and my grandma always killed snakes. I've always had an odd facination for them, and relocate any I can find. I guess I just have a passion for the more unusually critters. I seriously love every animal on this Earth, and believe that they are all equal and deserve equal rights. Your chickens eat bugs, so why dont you kill the chickens? They are just doing what comes natural. Its exactly the same, people just think chickens are cuter. Also, even if you do let them live, please dont hold them by their heads of the base of their head, its not comfortable or good for them. It can stretch out their back bones and harm them pretty bad. Im just here in hopes that I can help that one snake from being cut into pieces because that's why God put me on this Earth. Im here to help wildlife that people dont appreciate.
Also, it really crushes my heart to see someone post that they LOVE dead snake pics. That's like me saying I LOVE dead people pics. Im not a huge fan of most people, but If I was to say that, I would be banned. Its the same thing. And its not right.
, my ex husband put one around my neck once when he walked up behind me. that did not help me not liking them. i know it is not the snakes fault that i had a jerk ex, lol.
