Robbed!

I had been wondering about the lack of eggs the last couple of days, but blamed the suddenly hot weather. Laying an egg is big business for a chicken, my vet friend, Mary, once explained. Why do you think chickens squawk during the process? Think it feels good? I, the city kid, had never thought about that, even when I started on this chicken adventure. I have more empathy now.

But I digress. This afternoon I went to collect eggs and guess what I found in one of the nesting boxes, neatly curled up? Now for you "herpophobes", don't freak! He may look like a rattlesnake, but he is just a bull snake. When I first saw him he was just about to swallow an egg and his mouth was fully extended. I had to run to the house to get the camera, so by the time I got this picture taken most of the egg was already down the hatch.


Dan and the snake tongs again to the rescue. The snake was deposited out by our dry lake and then herded to the mesquite bushes so he would not overheat. What an experience! I must admit I was happy he was not a rattler. I will be on the lookout now.