I hin it's pretty much a given that indescriminate killing of non-venomous snakes is a poor idea.
Even I, a man who is no real fan of snakes, will try to let them go about their business.
However, last weekend the fiancee was gathering up some eggs from a couple three nests scattered about. The chickens just have the run of the barn, theres no coup.




It ain't exactly tidy, as you can see, so finding a nest is an on-going effort. There was one kinda hidden-tucked in the corner of a side lean-to with hay stored under it. The WTB was looking to filch some eggs for breakfast and headed for that nest, it had been producing well right along. Well, seems a big ol black snake, or king snake, or some kinda snake was all curled right up around that nest. He had two eggs in him already and he didn't look like he was planning on leaving anytime soon. WTB decided then and here this snake had to go! I don't know if its possible to run a snake off and have it stay away, and that was not an option I was offered. When the woman who is fixing to cook me breakfast wants something done, I tend to go along pretty quick.
That particular snake is no longer with us, and I hope his friends stay away as well. I take no pleasure in killing something that I'm not planning to eat or is not causing me a problem. But when you're eating my eggs, THATS problem!

How about some fried snake to go wit dem eggs???????

Good for you Uncle. I'm the same way, I say live and let live and I won't kill 'anything' that isn't a threat. I would have felt bad about the snake too, although I probably would have run him off and given him a second chance.

We're all God's creatures, just trying to get by, and I feel he didn't put me here to destroy them for convenience sake.

BTW, love the barn.

Me too! Its about 400 yards from the three houses on the property, two of which are populated by in-laws, outlaws and grandkids! This pic was taken about 1/2 way between the house and barn. Quiet at the barn, just the horses and chickens milling about. We have a metal porch glider under the trees, it's where I go to sit and "listen to my hair grow"!

I was about to comment on the virtues of a cat to take care of the mice that the dead snake won't be able to handle.....until I just got a $300 vet bill this aft for one of our little [censored] cats that got in a fight with some local predator and was in sad shape. Go with mousetraps!! Ront