|
Questions and Answers Feel free to ask any questions about Accrington and the surrounding area and hopefully one of our members can help you out. |
|
|
Welcome to Accrington Web!
We are a discussion forum dedicated to the towns of Accrington, Oswaldtwistle and the surrounding areas, sometimes referred to as Hyndburn! We are a friendly bunch please feel free to browse or read on for more info. You are currently viewing our site as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, photos, play in the community arcade and use our blog section. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free, so please, join our community today!
|
15-07-2008, 01:08
|
#1
|
Yank in King Art's Court!
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Culpeper, Virginia, USA
Posts: 1,403
Liked: 0 times
Rep Power: 264
|
To Kill or not to Kill?
We're talking snakes here rather than chavs, politicians, family members etc., etc., .
Here's the situation, I have a 5 - 6 black rat snake that's been getting in and eating eggs that I have a hen setting on to hatch (~ 4 or 5 eggs each time). I have tried to leave eggs in another nest free for the taking but she would rather eat the nice warm ones.
I really hate to have to kill it. I have spent a few midnights relocating her way off into the pasture. However, she keeps returning. I also believe she has gotten into a couple of bluebird boxes and eaten the babies.
The family all wish/beg that I kill her. She does have a ravenous appetite but then again, rat snakes supposedely keep the Copperheads away.
So, waht would my Accyweb family suggest?
Brian
__________________
|
|
|
15-07-2008, 01:23
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: accrington
Posts: 838
Liked: 3 times
Rep Power: 48
|
Re: To Kill or not to Kill?
Is there nobody you could call out to remove the snake?
A professional snake catcher or something like that?
That way you don't need to harm the snake and it could be released somewhere far away from you?
__________________
Diesels' Wife!!
|
|
|
15-07-2008, 01:36
|
#3
|
Coffin Dodger.
|
Re: To Kill or not to Kill?
i suggest kill the thieving git.
__________________
N.L.T.B.G.Y.D. Do not argue with an idiot, they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.
|
|
|
15-07-2008, 02:08
|
#4
|
Yank in King Art's Court!
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Culpeper, Virginia, USA
Posts: 1,403
Liked: 0 times
Rep Power: 264
|
Re: To Kill or not to Kill?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Loz
Is there nobody you could call out to remove the snake?
A professional snake catcher or something like that?
That way you don't need to harm the snake and it could be released somewhere far away from you?
|
Nah, no professional snake removers around here Loz. I could relocate it but it would end up smashed on the road like so many of it's brethren. Plus, not many folks around here would appreciate a snake this size nabbing it's kittens or baby squirrels!
__________________
|
|
|
15-07-2008, 02:15
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: accrington
Posts: 838
Liked: 3 times
Rep Power: 48
|
Re: To Kill or not to Kill?
Quote:
Originally Posted by LancYorkYankee
Nah, no professional snake removers around here Loz. I could relocate it but it would end up smashed on the road like so many of it's brethren. Plus, not many folks around here would appreciate a snake this size nabbing it's kittens or baby squirrels!
|
Fair enough!
Just a thought!
Really can't think of anything else sorry!
It would be a shame to have to kill it though
__________________
Diesels' Wife!!
|
|
|
15-07-2008, 02:31
|
#6
|
Yank in King Art's Court!
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Culpeper, Virginia, USA
Posts: 1,403
Liked: 0 times
Rep Power: 264
|
Re: To Kill or not to Kill?
Gosh, just read through the General Chat threads. Maybe should have titled this: A poll about whether I should capture and detain this snake for more or less than 42 days?
Then again, good thing I support our death penalty eh?
Brian
__________________
Last edited by LancYorkYankee; 15-07-2008 at 02:35.
|
|
|
15-07-2008, 02:39
|
#7
|
God Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SF/ Bay Area California
Posts: 4,002
Liked: 0 times
Rep Power: 1337
|
Re: To Kill or not to Kill?
are these things like rattlers , they partner up for life , if you find one there is usually the mate/partner not far away , and probably a nest of eggs (with snakes inside) not far away. ..........Kill it .......
|
|
|
15-07-2008, 02:50
|
#8
|
Yank in King Art's Court!
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Culpeper, Virginia, USA
Posts: 1,403
Liked: 0 times
Rep Power: 264
|
Re: To Kill or not to Kill?
The little ones aren't a bother at all. They keep the mice, voles, moles, in check. It just when they get this big and visiting young children go missing that it becomes a little unnerving! LOL
Brian
__________________
|
|
|
15-07-2008, 04:28
|
#9
|
God Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 9,290
Liked: 2347 times
Rep Power: 58527
|
Re: To Kill or not to Kill?
Quote:
Originally Posted by LancYorkYankee
Gosh, just read through the General Chat threads. Maybe should have titled this: A poll about whether I should capture and detain this snake for more or less than 42 days?
Then again, good thing I support our death penalty eh?
Brian
|
don't think the death penaty applies in this case .... don't see any murdering going on here, just nature taking it's natural course, even tho that course often offends human sensibilities ....
As an aside, the ministry of environment in Ontario, is reintroducing wolves in areas where the deer population is expanding at too great a rate. The idea of wolves ripping Bambi to shreds is not attractive to most humans, but it does make for a healthy deer population .... and I'm sure you will agree with this. Nature red in tooth and claw, eh
|
|
|
15-07-2008, 05:23
|
#10
|
Resting in Peace
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: In a state of confusion
Posts: 36,973
Liked: 715 times
Rep Power: 76552
|
Re: To Kill or not to Kill?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric
don't think the death penaty applies in this case .... don't see any murdering going on here, just nature taking it's natural course, even tho that course often offends human sensibilities ....
As an aside, the ministry of environment in Ontario, is reintroducing wolves in areas where the deer population is expanding at too great a rate. The idea of wolves ripping Bambi to shreds is not attractive to most humans, but it does make for a healthy deer population .... and I'm sure you will agree with this. Nature red in tooth and claw, eh
|
Think the same applies to little Foxy Woxy in this country Eric, country folk want to hunt it with dogs, townies are against blood sports, for me I have never had much opinion about it as not to many people on horseback ride through Ossy wearing red coats, but I have seen first hand what the fox can do in a hen house, it kills the lot gust for the fun of it, I'm talking 30 hens here, not much love for the fox from the owner of these hens
__________________
35 YEARS AND COUNTING
|
|
|
15-07-2008, 07:04
|
#11
|
God Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Up Bash
Posts: 7,827
Liked: 44 times
Rep Power: 4389
|
Re: To Kill or not to Kill?
Can you not Snake proof teh hen house overnight?
I'm comfortable with killing it if necessary( nature works both ways, its nature for it to kill the eggs buit its also nature for us further up teh food chain to kill it to protect our food source) but if you can persuade it to desist then thats teh preferred solution.
I think you should eat it if you kill it though!
|
|
|
15-07-2008, 07:08
|
#12
|
Resting in Peace
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Accrington
Posts: 12,472
Liked: 428 times
Rep Power: 102655
|
Re: To Kill or not to Kill?
Do you not have an SPCA in your area they would take care of it and re home it
for those that dont know its lke the RSPCA here.
|
|
|
15-07-2008, 16:59
|
#13
|
Yank in King Art's Court!
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Culpeper, Virginia, USA
Posts: 1,403
Liked: 0 times
Rep Power: 264
|
Re: To Kill or not to Kill?
Thanks for all the thoughts and suggestions. I guess I know what needs doing. I believe that extra shot of whiskey in my grapefruit juice was making me a bit soft last night .
These snakes are very common. Not something the SPCA would wish to deal with. (Too many cats and abandoned dogs filling their cages already).
Ian, it's not just the small barn. These snakes are very clever. This is the same size snake I caught (and killed) 2 years ago inside a "very tight" turkey pen, just after it had swallowed it's fifth 3 - 4 week old chick for it's evening meal.
Thanks again, pictures to follow!
Brian
__________________
|
|
|
15-07-2008, 17:53
|
#14
|
Resident Waffler
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Accrington, Hyndburn
Posts: 18,142
Liked: 14 times
Rep Power: 1061
|
Re: To Kill or not to Kill?
If you kill it could you skin it and send me the cured skin?
|
|
|
15-07-2008, 18:02
|
#15
|
God Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 9,290
Liked: 2347 times
Rep Power: 58527
|
Re: To Kill or not to Kill?
Quote:
Originally Posted by LancYorkYankee
The little ones aren't a bother at all. They keep the mice, voles, moles, in check. It just when they get this big and visiting young children go missing that it becomes a little unnerving! LOL
Brian
|
Send it up here, bud ... school's out and the neighbour's kid is a tad to loud ...
By the way, we are starting to have a problem with Fishers up our way, cats are disappearing .... do you have any in your neck of the woods? I suppose I could google "Fisher" and find out what their range is, but I'm feeling lazy and would rather do it the old fashioned way.
|
|
|
Other sites of interest.. |
More town sites.. |
|
|
All times are GMT. The time now is 13:29.
© 2003-2013 AccringtonWeb.com
|
|