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Barnyard Buddies:  SNAKE! Grrrrrrrr  |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
 Posted - May 15 2010 : 03:36:23 AM
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Guess the black snakes were out in force yesterday.
Saw 3 in and near our barn at work yesterday. Almost stepped on one and really got a bad start when it rattled its tail when I didn't see it.
All of these were in the 3-4 foot range.
Then I get home and a little before dark found one crawling in the grass (thankfully well away from the coops) and then up a tree and hopefully after some other bird's eggs and babies. This one was well in excess of 5 feet!
DH was behind the house in the field bush hogging yesterday afternoon and may have caused it to come up closer to the house.
Thinking about it now, this may be the one I found 2 years ago and "relocated" to our neighbor's crawl space. This was totally ok since he had a huge mouse problem and he actually thanked me.
So now this snake has come home to roost I'm afraid, and I will be HIGHLY upset if my biddies start to disappear. We have about a dozen and a half of all sizes. Some are still inside a building and some have graduated outside. All of which are perfect snake snack size. We have lost jr. sized chicks before too when a snake bit off more than it could chew and was stuck like that. He was also relocated.
As much as I appreciate the free rodent control, I really hope this thing stays away. If eggs also start to disappear, I'll keep my snake grabber and pillowcase closer at hand |
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MargaretW
True Blue Farmgirl
99 Posts
Margaret
Dittmer
Missouri
USA
99 Posts |
Posted - May 15 2010 : 04:37:49 AM
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Snakes are bad this year. 3 weeks ago our lab Duke got bit by a copperhead, the Vet said we caught it time so that no kidney damage will be done, gave him an iv with a pain killer, B12 shot, and antiboitic. His poor face and neck swelled so bad and he looked so pittiful. Good news he is all better and out seaching again, just like a kid, will they ever learn! 
Margaret
Proud to be an American! There is nothing better on earth than our freedom! |
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N@n
True Blue Farmgirl
223 Posts
Hackett
Arkansas
USA
223 Posts |
Posted - May 15 2010 : 05:06:06 AM
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Margaret, I keep benedryl on hand for our lab, Doofus. He is always nose first into anything that moves and has been bitten by copper heads a couple of times. Check with your vet about dosage, but our lab was prescribed 100 mgs of benedryl when bitten. I know that is a lot and would probably almost kill a human, but I guess the doggies need more than we do. It works quickly on him and takes the swelling down really quick. Might not hurt to keep some on hand for him.
keep searchin'-it's out there somewhere. |
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Bear5
True Blue Farmgirl
13055 Posts
Louisiana/Texas
USA
13055 Posts |
Posted - May 15 2010 : 2:34:23 PM
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Yesterday, my hubby saw a snake climbing up one of our oak trees. I saw him running, and figured it was a snake. He hates them. I'm the snake killer! LOL.
By the time I got the shovel and walked to the tree, it was gone.
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - May 15 2010 : 3:58:55 PM
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Benadryl is good stuff to keep on hand. For dogs it also works well if they react to wasp stings.
My poor dog got stung on the bridge of her nose and the poor thing looked like a chow/sharpe cross. Luckily we had some Benadryl in stock. Took the swelling down nicely.
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msdoolittle
True Blue Farmgirl
1143 Posts
Amanda
East Texas
USA
1143 Posts |
Posted - May 15 2010 : 8:02:12 PM
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Anna,
I enjoy snakes as well, as LONG AS they do not eat my eggs/chickens! I have several pics of me on my FaceBook page with some of my 'finds'. Just today, I was out snake proofing the hen house. I cut up a pair of old flip flops and crammed them as tight as they would go in some of the small holes in the building. I think they'll work great!
BTW, dogs are typically prescribed one milligram of Benedryl (diphenhydramine) per POUND of dog. That is an overdose for a human, but not for a dog. I believe many of the tablets are 12.5 mg, so if you have a little dog, 1/2 a tablet (6.25 mg)works well. :0) When dogs get snakebit/stung, the vet often gives a 'Benedryl' (diphenhydramine) injection, along with a corticosteroid to reduce swelling. Of course, other drugs and treatments may be given depending on the situation.
FarmGirl #1390
www.mylittlecountry.wordpress.com |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - May 16 2010 : 03:45:44 AM
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AH! Good to know. Thanks!
My dog weighs about 45 pounds. I tend to underdose and up it from there in small increments if I don't start to see much effect.
Dogs can also tolerate the chewable Dramamine. I try quartering these tablets and that worked well with my frist dog.
And no snake yesterday-all biddies accounted for.
When I got home last night hubby met me at the door and when I thought he was about to give a body report, he just said that he has already pulled eggs for the day and watered everybody. What a sweet heart! |
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - May 16 2010 : 06:33:28 AM
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that is a true DH for sure. if there were snakes here we would not be. papa is so VERY freaked out by them. we have rattlers in the desert. not on our place. garden snakes yes. i will get some benedryl for the cow medicine chest. seems when we need a med. we have to go to the barn. lol happy days sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farmgirl #1014
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - May 16 2010 : 06:42:31 AM
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I am so afraid of snakes. I know they will start coming around soon because we are surrounded by hay fields here. And they will probably start mowing in the next few weeks. That will get them all stirred up for sure. And I have already seen 2 dead on the roads. I am not looking forward to this.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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jclambert
True Blue Farmgirl
149 Posts
Judy
Stringtown
Oklahoma
USA
149 Posts |
Posted - May 16 2010 : 08:06:51 AM
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Our neighbor has killed 5 rattlesnakes already. Thankfully, we haven't seen any on our place yet. I can deal with the black snakes, grass snakes and even copperheads, but I HATE rattlesnakes. I don't get close enough with my hoe to kill them, I run to the house for my pistol for those bad daddies. Killed three last year close to the house. EEK!
Judy
"Speak your mind and ride a fast horse" |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - May 16 2010 : 09:47:57 AM
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Yes, and when blackberry season rolls around, I'm gonna HAVE to invest in another pair of knee high boots for sure!
I lived in the desert for 5 years, and it was nothing to encounter a ratttler at least once every few weeks. I got good about flipping feed pans over facing away from me since on more than several occasions,there were snakes coiled up underneath them! I still maintain that habit. They were also really bad about hiding in coiled up hoses too. Best to look before reaching!
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Barnyard Buddies: SNAKE! Grrrrrrrr |
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SNAKE! Grrrrrrrr
