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Post by annieyokie on Jan 17, 2010 11:01:10 GMT 8
Another snake in the pen ,this tine the brave silkies killed it .Caved its head in and left it there.Big one too,dugites are bad this year . Any ideas as deterrents ??Iv ordered some essential oil deterrent spray from the USA .we have solar deterrents ,seem to attract-not deter !! It was escaping (or trying )through the small bird wire on ranging areas .I have snake/mouse wire around the cages but it is to expensive for large areas . We would also need to bury it around all the free range areas. You guys were so good with fox ideas -- snakes anyone
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Post by annieyokie on Jan 18, 2010 8:07:25 GMT 8
2 more yesterday outside cage this time .Someone sugested I put water and chook food outside the cages as they might be after water. Maybe it worked
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Post by Duck Diva on Jan 18, 2010 8:55:49 GMT 8
Im glad they were outside this time! Good idea putting the water and food outside the pen.
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Post by luv4ducks on Jan 18, 2010 9:09:39 GMT 8
I've heard of putting water in the shade for them, and I've been told that at this time of year due the the extreme heat they are mainly after water, unfortunately they will kill a territorial chicken if it challenges it. Another option is peacocks or emu's, I've read that they will kill and eat snake meat so if you have the space it might be worth looking into for your situation Good luck I hope that you find a suitable and practical solution
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Post by quambie on Jan 18, 2010 9:27:13 GMT 8
HI All From the time I Have had the guinea fowl I have not had snakes on the farm !!! for those of you that cant have them the only way I know to get shot of them is to mix MILK with The LAWN BEATLE mix/Powder you can buy Snakes love milk and the other stuff kills them for you Trev
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Post by Duck Diva on Jan 18, 2010 9:40:23 GMT 8
Wouldnt poisoning milk have the risk of killing native wildlife?
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Post by annieyokie on Jan 18, 2010 10:25:13 GMT 8
Emus,peacock's,Guinea fowl Might think about it . How much space do emu need? they are down the road so might be ok . Can guinea fowl run with chooks?never had them but I'm sure I've seen them together. Wendy love your duck "sunny"
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Post by luv4ducks on Jan 18, 2010 12:19:51 GMT 8
Guinea Fowl go with chooks fine, I've never had a problem, and emus do't need a huge amount of space, I've seen them kept quite happily on 1 acre blocks, you will however need to get it as a chick so it bonds with your chooks that you allow to free range, otherwise when it grows it will kill them and that sort of defeats the purpose of trying to keep them safe;)
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Post by annieyokie on Jan 18, 2010 12:31:02 GMT 8
Guinea fowl it is .Just talked to clucky hen she has some 12 week olds out there picking up some this afternoon Even if they are watch dogs and make a noise that will be great.
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Post by quambie on Jan 18, 2010 12:33:35 GMT 8
As far as I know Snakes are the only thing that likes the milk out side the chook pen even wild cats do not take it pity though Trev
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Post by lakelands on Jan 18, 2010 12:35:28 GMT 8
What brave little Silkies. So luck that none of the chooks got bitten.
As to the snake deterants. No idea. I just know that if you have lots of mice then there will be lots of Snake. I keep the rats and mice at bay and rarely see any snakes...plus we have plently of water containers out where the chooks free range so maybe that does work...
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Post by Duck Diva on Jan 18, 2010 12:39:31 GMT 8
lol Anne, good excuse to buy more birds!! haha ;D
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Post by annieyokie on Jan 18, 2010 12:42:22 GMT 8
Have seen the occasional mouse not many.Might add the australorp rooster caught a mouse the other day and gave it to his hens .Great fight over it gone down a throat in a second. (well trained my chooks).Just looking up guinea fowl on line they to will catch mice so the remaining fewmice ;D ;D WATCH OUT
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Post by rap on Jan 18, 2010 12:51:57 GMT 8
Guinea fowl do make a lot noise and like to range.You do need a very large block to keep them on.
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Post by Cluck N Waddle on Jan 18, 2010 13:23:46 GMT 8
Hope the guinea fowls can help with your snake problem Annieyokie. Be prepared for ALOT of noise! Hope you've got good neighbours Oh, and the guineas with chooks thing, unlike Brendon I dont think guinea mix well with chooks, especially the male guineas. Just yesterday I had to break up a fight between 2 male guineas and my RIR roo Rodney otherwise they would've done him some serious damage. Even in that short scuffle one of his spurs was torn clean off. Although keets raised with chickens from an early age would be more likely to mix ok with chooks.... Just my two cents worth anyways
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