thinking of quiting chickens

[Queen of the Lilliputians]

I do agree that chickens can be messy. We had them when I was little, and they free ranged. Actually, my dad worked full time, mom was a stay-at-home mom.. they were city folk learning to um.. get back to nature, I guess. Anyway, our chickens used to poop all over our porch. We didn't have running water at all (and I'm not THAT old! LOL!), so there was no hosing anything down. I understand where your mom is coming from.

That is part of the reason that my brood will only free range for a short time during the day. I love to go barefoot, my kids love to be barefoot.. and If I'm honest with you all I'm a bit of a germ-a-phobe. I don't like the idea of my kids playing where the chickens have pooped. But certainly there are a variety of options for that. (and for the record, I don't like my kids playing where the dogs poop, either, so I scoop that up whenever I see one).

It sounds like you've decided to keep them! That is wonderful! Maybe your mom is more concerned about the ducks and turkeys, but doesn't realize who is actually creating the mess? Regardless, I hope that you continue to come to this forum. I really enjoy reading your comments.

Meghan

 

[wynedot55]

a chicken snake eats the eggs.an when i catch those snakes i kill them fast.i have no mercy for them.

 

[apbgv]

I have never heard of a chicken snake either, garter, rat, king, bull snakes yeah what exactly is a chicken snake inquiring minds want to know.

 

[akyramoto]

i've had my girls for almost a year & I enjoy cleaning & taking care of them because that just means more time with them. I haven't seen an increase in snakes in my area or general predators for that matter, I've only caught a coyote on my property once in a year.

 

[CarriBrown]

Quote:
I caught a gorgeous California King in my backyard on Monday. He was cruising around in the grass and I caught him "Crocadile Hunter" style!

We put him under the pool deck, which is where I think he came from.
At any rate, I'd like to see a "chicken snake". Sounds like an urban myth to me.

 

[blossom hen]

Around my area when people talk about a "chicken snake" thats a colloquial term for the Texas Rat Snake (Elaphe obsoleta lindheimeri). But any snake not a rattlesnake or cottonmouth can be referred to as a chicken snake. If it's hanging around the barn, it's suspected to be looking for eggs or baby chicks. un

 

[Critter Crazy]

Hmmm...since I have had chickens, I have yet to see one snake. we used to find them all the time before the chickens got here. Needless to say the kids are dissapointed, they loved catching them.

 

[Robot Chicken]

I've seen my chickens kill snakes.On more than 1 occasion I've came outside and seen the chickens circled around a snake pecking it to death.

 

[JudyMcKinn]

Robot, wow, what kind of chickens do you have? I'd like to get some. Haven't had a snake in my pen that I know of, but I actually suspect my Black Sumatra's might do that--they are mean little buggers if they are on the nest!

 

[robbobbin]

On the other BYC lastyear, someone posted a picture of their nestbox with a big big black snake in it. I don't remember who, but remember the picture. What a scare they had when they went to collect eggs.
ugh!