Thread: snakes

Sorry to come on again but, re-reading the posts, do-it-dog, I see I have not mentioned the Maremma stock-guard dog. Probably you know of them.

They came from Italy originally, are a large dog, generally of a light colour, I think.

They live with the stock they are to guard, bond very closely with them. I imagine they are no good in a built-up area as they bark much, especially during the night. We have never had one so I cannot speak from first-hand experience as to their worth against snakes but neighbours who have them swear by them.

Have five Isa Browns, in a suburban backyard. Got them at around 23 weeks old, and started getting eggs within a week or two of that. This was three years ago, get 2-5 eggs everyday, and they have only stopped laying once for about a two month period (Don't know why)

They are really placid, and inquisitive and definitely not the smartest birds around.

Cousin that got some at the same time from same source had problems with cannibalism, one got a bit of a mark and the rest hopped in, I had to do the deed to the injured one as he couldn't do it.

The neighbours next door just lost two silkies to what we think was a fox/dingo/feral (or 2) the other night.
Tracked the feathers from their bottom paddock where they have a small dome shelter (not secure) down to our chook 'ouse, then eventually to the edge of the dam. Appears our bent predators decided to entertain our secure chooks with a bleedin' visual spectacular by the light of the silvery moon!
(Bloody tail feathers found within a few feet of the usual sleeping perch)
Amazing that we didn't hear a squawk or even one gutteral cluck! .
Interesting thing was, there was not one bone to be found anywhere. Was thinking this may determine what species of predator we have in our midst .... perhaps an underfed local escapist terrier? any thoughts folks?

I'll vote for the fox, endgrain, but I have a thing about them !

They are cruel, silent, one-hit killers which, somehow, do their work without alarming the flock.

Apparently, a Maremma warns them off by barking and vigilance.

Originally Posted by rotten_66

Have five Isa Browns, in a suburban backyard. Got them at around 23 weeks old, and started getting eggs within a week or two of that. This was three years ago, get 2-5 eggs everyday, and they have only stopped laying once for about a two month period (Don't know why)

They are really placid, and inquisitive and definitely not the smartest birds around.

Cousin that got some at the same time from same source had problems with cannibalism, one got a bit of a mark and the rest hopped in, I had to do the deed to the injured one as he couldn't do it.

The chooks stop laying because they go into moult. You can collect feathers instead of eggs.