So a few weeks ago I posted about an egg I cracked and accidentally "hatched" it. Well "Lucky" the surviving chick was flourishing in the brooder but being an only chick she was needing some safe socializing with the bigger birds.
She is now 4-5wks old so last week I started placing her in our outdoor juvenile run normally reserved for 8wk+ birds. This way she could see and be seen by the free range flock. Unfortunately, both outside brooders are occupied with hens and chicks or eggs so Lucky had no where to sleep. So each night I would carry her back into the garage to sleep in one of the brooders inside. This is royal treatment and only happens to special chicks.
Well today it was hot, and after working outside for 8hrs we played a few games with the kids and I lost track of time. So when I went out to move lucky back inside after dark, I found a very sad scene. One of the local black snakes had tried to make a meal of her. Lucky was dead and the 5ft snake was trying to swallow her but could not get beyond the shoulders. When the snake saw my light, it spit out Lucky and escaped.
I don't blame the snake. It was just doing what they do. It was my fault for putting Lucky out there too soon before she was big enough to not tempt an attack by a snake and for not moving her inside at sundown like usual.
I don't mind the presence of black snakes. This was the 1st predation attempt we've had by one only because I failed to do my part. However, that snake had no chance to actually swallow Lucky. She was already far too big, so the wasted life is upsetting, especially when it should have been prevented. If a snake takes a chick or egg, its a small price to pay for all the good they do, its just a shame that this time it was poor Lucky.
She is now 4-5wks old so last week I started placing her in our outdoor juvenile run normally reserved for 8wk+ birds. This way she could see and be seen by the free range flock. Unfortunately, both outside brooders are occupied with hens and chicks or eggs so Lucky had no where to sleep. So each night I would carry her back into the garage to sleep in one of the brooders inside. This is royal treatment and only happens to special chicks.
Well today it was hot, and after working outside for 8hrs we played a few games with the kids and I lost track of time. So when I went out to move lucky back inside after dark, I found a very sad scene. One of the local black snakes had tried to make a meal of her. Lucky was dead and the 5ft snake was trying to swallow her but could not get beyond the shoulders. When the snake saw my light, it spit out Lucky and escaped.
I don't blame the snake. It was just doing what they do. It was my fault for putting Lucky out there too soon before she was big enough to not tempt an attack by a snake and for not moving her inside at sundown like usual.
I don't mind the presence of black snakes. This was the 1st predation attempt we've had by one only because I failed to do my part. However, that snake had no chance to actually swallow Lucky. She was already far too big, so the wasted life is upsetting, especially when it should have been prevented. If a snake takes a chick or egg, its a small price to pay for all the good they do, its just a shame that this time it was poor Lucky.
