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Wednesday, July 29, 2015

A day for visitors

Today neighbors have stopped by from up the road...
and neighbors have stopped by from down the road...
which was fine and dandy. I enjoy the neighbors stopping by. But then these two visitors showed up...both at the same time.
I went in the chicken house to check on a hen that was cackling awfully loud and gasped at the sight. No need in running for the gun, I can't shoot a snake so I ran for the camera. Three times I held my breath and peeped in to get a picture of the snake eating the eggs...

then slowly backing out I happened to look up and saw this above my head...

My friend Nellie was just telling me about a black snake chasing somebody she knows. I closed the chicken house door and ran back to the house. Poppy will be home in ten minutes. 

It has definitely been an unusual day.

 Okay, here it is bedtime again. But surely you will want to know what happened. Poppy got home and I told him there were two big snakes closed up in the chicken house. He got the shotgun and went in...He fired one shot, the door opened and Poppy brought out a six foot rat snake. The second snake had totally disappeared. :(  We searched and looked and raked the straw, but no snake.

 Whew! What a day. Snakes don't crawl at night, do they? Sure hope the chickens are safe. 

 Thanks for visiting. 

 Love,
Henny





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46 comments:

  1. RedJuly 29, 2015 at 7:22 PM

    That was an exciting day. I can just see you doing a dance when you saw the second snake.

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    1. Henny PennyJuly 30, 2015 at 11:04 AM

      Absolutely! I shiver to think about that second snake above my head!

      Delete
  2. Granny MarigoldJuly 29, 2015 at 7:28 PM

    Unexpected company always throws me for a loop. I much prefer a quick call to say they'd like to come by. That way I can be ready for them. Those snakes? I would have been so terrified I doubt I would have gone back to take any pictures! Glad your husband got at least the one.

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    1. Henny PennyJuly 30, 2015 at 11:06 AM

      I know what you mean. My neighbors that stop by usually don't stay but five minutes or so. It takes me a while to get over seeing a snake.

      Delete
  3. JoyfulJuly 29, 2015 at 7:47 PM

    Wow! Those are big ones too and they don't make a sound. Reminds me of that old song "oh the snakes crawl at night, that's what they say, when the sun goes down, then the snakes will play". Except in that case, the singer wasn't really singing about snakes so I have no idea whether they crawl at night or not. Stay safe.

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    1. Henny PennyJuly 30, 2015 at 11:08 AM

      That's funny. I was thinking of that song too. I wonder who "they" are who say snakes crawl at night. :) I need to look that up.

      Delete
  4. farm buddyJuly 29, 2015 at 8:11 PM

    Sometimes it is hard to make a chicken coop totally safe. If I have a few hens or a hen with chicks that I am worried about, I put them in a cat carrier crate at night within the chicken coop. I believe this would keep them safe, even from your snakes! Good luck!

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    1. Henny PennyJuly 30, 2015 at 11:10 AM

      Thank you. I could kick myself for not doing that. I have several small cages. Anything to keep the babies safe at night.The bantam's pen is completely enclosed, even the top. I guess a snake can get just about anywhere.

      Delete
  5. LindaGJuly 29, 2015 at 8:17 PM

    I think rat snakes only eat eggs; but I don't know, you could research online. I want Gail to teach me how to raise dogs that kill snakes for me. I have to admit I did free a snake the other day that was tangled in some bird netting - won't buy that again; but I was shaking and praying the whole time I cut it free. No pictures though, I'll tel you that!
    It wasn't a rat snake. Wasn't poisonous, I do know that. Mine was only about 3 to 3 and a half feet long.
    I don't mind unexpected company as long as I know them.
    God bless!

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    1. Henny PennyJuly 30, 2015 at 11:16 AM

      Actually we have had a rat snake kill a grown hen inside the chicken house. The hen's head was wet from being in the snake's mouth. We figured the hen got in the snake's way and he smothered it. Surely the snake didn't think he could swallow a grown hen. Snakes are a problem! I can't imaging cutting one loose from netting. How kink of you. I would have tried too. Hey, I like to know my company too. :)

      Delete
  6. mamasmercantileJuly 29, 2015 at 9:17 PM

    I am all for visitors, I love a good chat with neighbours but snakes no thank you...you can keep them! Sat safe.

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    1. Henny PennyJuly 30, 2015 at 11:17 AM

      Yes, I could do without the snakes visiting too. :)

      Delete
  7. as always starzieJuly 29, 2015 at 9:37 PM

    Wow! You are so brave! A six ft long snake is a big snake! What do you think happened to Lucille's baby? It seems really strange she and her baby were sleeping on the ground. Hope you have visitors come that you enjoy visiting with. It sounds like you really don't want a snake for a pet. I don't blame you!
    Take care,
    Darlene from Calif.

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    1. Henny PennyJuly 30, 2015 at 11:19 AM

      Hey Darlene. I think it was a snake that ate Lucille's baby. But, then it happened after dark and I thought that snakes didn't crawl at night. I definitely do not want a pet snake. :)

      Delete
  8. KarenJuly 29, 2015 at 10:12 PM

    Oh my, I wouldn't be going in to the chicken coop for a while after seeing those two. Makes me shudder just thinking about it. I'd say that one of them got your little chick.

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    1. Henny PennyJuly 30, 2015 at 11:21 AM

      Karen, I think it was a snake that ate the baby chick too. Unless a rat would eat a chick. Looks like there would have been some sign, feathers or something. I plan to look good before going in the chicken house from now on.

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  9. KarenJuly 29, 2015 at 10:12 PM

    Oh my, I wouldn't be going in to the chicken coop for a while after seeing those two. Makes me shudder just thinking about it. I'd say that one of them got your little chick.

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  10. Linda ReederJuly 29, 2015 at 10:46 PM

    OK, I'm sorry. I can't come live on your teeny-tiny farm. Not with those things sneaking around.

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    1. Henny PennyJuly 30, 2015 at 11:23 AM

      Oh, I should not have told you about the snakes. Now you will never come for a visit. :) Maybe we will be rid of all the snakes one day.

      Delete
  11. PamJuly 30, 2015 at 1:03 AM

    Goodness, I am so glad that our snakes are mostly shy and keep well away from houses. We do have Adders fairly near bye but when walking I keep a close look out and carry a portable radio, the noise gives them time to slip away. Foxes are our chicken predator and they will kill every bird and just take one away, I do not support Fox Hunting as it is barbaric but farmers are able to shoot them. When I was younger we used to go out Fox hunting at night, I drove the landrover and 2 or 3 guns were in the back with rifles. It made for quick clean kills and safety for the farm animals and birds.

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    1. Henny PennyJuly 30, 2015 at 11:25 AM

      I've heard that about foxes. Occasionally we will see a fox around here but we've never had any problem with them. It's snakes!!

      Delete
  12. MeggieJuly 30, 2015 at 2:48 AM

    I had that very same experience when I still owned the farm....The chicken snake can get quite large....fortunately I have a handyman that took care of him. He used a garden hoe....can you believe it? I probably would have shot up the entire barn, if I had tried...laughing !!

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    1. Henny PennyJuly 30, 2015 at 11:29 AM

      So would I...shoot up the entire chicken house! I'm afraid to try shooting a snake or anything else. Our neighbor uses a hoe but I think a gun is best. Poppy usually kills the snake with one shot...no suffering. :) These snakes do get big!

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  13. Cat LoverJuly 30, 2015 at 4:50 AM

    You are a brave lady to venture back into the chicken house. I would have been shrieking like a little girl! Stay safe.

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    1. Henny PennyJuly 30, 2015 at 11:30 AM

      I'm not too brave. You should have seen me peeping in with the camera. :)

      Delete
  14. A Brit in TennesseeJuly 30, 2015 at 6:50 AM

    I'm sorry to say but I dislike snakes.....of any variety. A black racer snake chased my MIL through the corn fields once, and I do mean "chased"....mouth open wide and reared up four foot in the air....snake not MIL !
    I do hope Poppy is able to find the other snake and send him on his way, otherwise he'll be back !
    ~Jo

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    1. Henny PennyJuly 30, 2015 at 11:32 AM

      Are you serious!! Mama used to say that black snakes would chase people, but mama was really afraid of just about everything. Bless her heart. You're right, that other snake will be back.

      Delete
  15. ConnieJuly 30, 2015 at 7:26 AM

    Oh my goodness . . . I would have fainted dead away. Truly I have fainted at the sight of a snake, they totally drain the blood from my head, instantly. I have been wanted to raise chickens and my hubby says no. If they attract snakes, then I won't ask again :)

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    1. Henny PennyJuly 30, 2015 at 11:34 AM

      Once I see a snake it takes a while for me to get over the feeling. Snakes are just scary! It does seem like snakes come around where there are chickens and eggs, but not all the time.

      Delete
  16. Mac n' JanetJuly 30, 2015 at 7:46 AM

    EWWWWj! I do not like snakes, the black ones in particular give me the willies. We get big water snakes here.

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    1. Henny PennyJuly 30, 2015 at 11:35 AM

      Black snakes are scary looking. Big water snakes can look pretty scary too. Hey, all snakes are scary! Aren't they? :)

      Delete
  17. At Rivercrest CottageJuly 30, 2015 at 8:00 AM

    I would have died and dropped right there in the road! I hate snakes. More than I hate scorpions (which we had at our last place in Texas out by a lake) even. That one above your head would've had me packing up and moving. Do you think they were what happened to your poor little chick?

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    1. Henny PennyJuly 30, 2015 at 11:37 AM

      I feel sure that a snake got that baby chick. It just seems weird that the chick disappeared overnight...if it's true that snakes don't crawl at night.

      Delete
  18. Cozy Thyme CottageJuly 30, 2015 at 8:24 AM

    Oh my goodness!! YUK! I am glad you are safe and that Poppy got that one snake. Hope the other one won't be back! I can't stand snakes! Nancy

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    1. Henny PennyJuly 30, 2015 at 11:38 AM

      Aren't they awful looking? I feel like that other snake will come back. I will be watching for it.

      Delete
  19. At Rivercrest CottageJuly 30, 2015 at 8:25 AM

    Just showed this post to my husband and he said when he was a teen the local Feed Supply Store sold glass eggs. You put the glass eggs in the nests and when the snakes came in and eat the eggs, the glass ones broke and killed them. Just some info in case you can find glass eggs.

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    1. Henny PennyJuly 30, 2015 at 11:39 AM

      Gosh, I've never heard of such a thing! Can you imagine! Thank you.

      Delete
  20. Far Side of FiftyJuly 30, 2015 at 11:18 AM

    Ack, I would have ran until I collapsed...or just fainted dead away. I bet that other snake has a hidey hole someplace that is not visible all the time...buggers eating the eggs...and probably Lucilles baby too:(

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    1. Henny PennyJuly 30, 2015 at 11:42 AM

      I think you are absolutely right, about the hidey hole and Lucille's baby. I think the other snake somehow went under the chicken house.

      Delete
  21. Lynn HastyJuly 30, 2015 at 11:58 AM

    OhMyCrippityCrapGoodnessGracious!!!!!!!!! Mama. Ha ha. One was over your head??!! Whew!
    Love you!!!

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  22. vicJuly 31, 2015 at 7:39 AM

    Well, at least the black snakes aren't poisonous. That's something anyway. But somewhat unsettling, especially the one on the crosspiece right above you and you not realizing it. Yikes! Double Yikes!!

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    1. Henny PennyJuly 31, 2015 at 2:16 PM

      Oh Vic. I can't stand to look at those sickening pictures. Now I'm afraid to walk in the chicken house.

      Delete
  23. vickit43July 31, 2015 at 11:27 AM

    I almost stepped on a copperhead snake yesterday evening. Be careful!

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    1. Henny PennyJuly 31, 2015 at 2:18 PM

      Oh my goodness, Vicki. You're the one who needs to be careful. I am really afraid of a copperhead and they are so hard to see. Don't they look just like the ground...like pine straw and bark. I love you!

      Delete
  24. DebJuly 31, 2015 at 2:44 PM

    I'd.a.died. :(

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