Black Snakes in my chicken coop!!!!!

Hey yall! Just thought I'd ask around to see who else is experiencing this problem. And research additional remedies. So this summer,I've had three black snakes. (I kill every one I find!!!)The first two were humongous! Over 6' in length. It came into the run and had eaten(over time,I didn't catch it until too late) a total of 19 (possibly) fertile eggs. And strangled my best broody,Charlie,to death. He tried to eat her too but couldn't get past her shoulders. Oh I cried and cried. I was able to cut 4 eggs out of his belly,after I shot him,to hopefully recover. However,they did not hatch. I don't believe those 4 were fertile. So I did some research and found that it was safe to use Moth Balls(as long as your chickens can breath properly)as a deterrent. I put a few,as only a few are needed,around the coop and run building. On the outside of it. They stink so bad and it is this foul odor that deters these egg eating snakes. Over time,they begin to dissolve. Even faster when it rains. So it's important to keep watch and replenish when necessary. Well all has been great for a couple of months. Not one snake. All of my babies happy happy happy! I didn't realize that the moth balls were about gone,quickly due to rain,and as soon as I made that mistake.....I came in to the coop to find a black snake!!!!! Needless to say,I killed him too!!! Fortunately,all of my chickens and chicks were fine. But he did eat 2 fertile bantam eggs. They were already in digestive mode. Too late to try to save. I was really down on myself. Anywho,I replaced them again,and I will not make that mistake again. I had a broody in the coop setting on a clutch of 11(fertile!). She stood her ground and didn't budge when that snake violated her sisters nest.....right next to her!!!!!! Brave girl. So my question is,how many others are experiencing this? And what is the solution that you find most effective for this problem? Thank you in advance for your time! God bless.

I have always had a problem with black snakes as I have lots of chicks. I kill first and don't ask any questions. They will kill a chicken that is way too big for them to eat.... I hate them!

Some people may say that black snakes are good to control the mice. Since I don't have mice problems I kill them whenever they come into or near the coop. I hate loosing eggs or chicks to snakes.

kelly52862 said:

I have always had a problem with black snakes as I have lots of chicks.    I kill first and don't ask any questions.   They will kill a chicken that is way too big for them to eat.... I hate them!

Click to expand...

thanks for your post. I kill them too. They have been nothing but trouble for me. I live on a 24 acre farm. They're everywhere. They can stay far far away from my babies. But when they invade my territory.... Bang!

FarmerMac said:

Some people may say that black snakes are good to control the mice. Since I don't have mice problems I kill them whenever they come into or near the coop. I hate loosing eggs or chicks to snakes.

Click to expand...

thank you too for responding! I don't have a mouse problem either. But I think I'd almost rather! These snakes are so relentless. I've lost too many of my precious flock to them. I kill them too. But it's always after damage is done.

How are they getting into the coop?

I've heard minnow traps with eggs inside as bait work well, then just toss the whole thing into a barrel of water.

aart said:

How are they getting into the coop?

I've heard minnow traps with eggs inside as bait work well, then just toss the whole thing into a barrel of water.

Click to expand...

Hi..... Well.....In any little hole they can find. I've tried my best to block every one I've found. But these snakes can fit through a pinhole,I tell ya! With what kind of eggs?

Gloryjasmine said:

Hi..... Well.....In any little hole they can find. I've tried my best to block every one I've found. But these snakes can fit through a pinhole,I tell ya! With what kind of eggs?

Click to expand...

You are already using the method we did on the farm I grew up on ("termination with extreme prejudice") ...... other than that, give them no holes to get in (steel wool stops mice, maybe it works on snakes?) to the coop.

jimbob86 said:

You are already using the method we did on the farm I grew up on ("termination with extreme prejudice") ...... other than that, give them no holes to get in (steel wool stops mice, maybe it works on snakes?) to the coop.

Click to expand...

Thanks for your post. Yes I have no problem killing them. Some people also say,they eat rattlesnakes. Which I have on my land. But not around my birds. So in my theory,if they're eating my eggs.....they're not doing their job controlling the rattlesnake population!!!! The moth ball method has been working great for me. But as I said earlier,I had to lose a lot of precious babes before I found something that worked well. And I did a lot of research. I've tried with the holes!!! I'm not kidding you,they can squeeze into anything! It's aggravating.