Snakes

I've never seen my chickens with a snake. I'm assuming this spring I will see them around again since every year I find them in the garden. I can't wait I love watching my girls chase each other when one has a worm

I remember the first time my chickens caught a snake! I was terrified...I was sitting on the porch working on a windchime; the chickens were out free-ranging. All of a sudden I see Opal, my chubbiest Orpington running away from all the other girls. She had the biggest worm in her beak I had ever seen...or so, I thought it was a worm. As soon as I realized It was a snake I freaked out, grabbed my iced tea and chased after her, trying to splash her and get her to drop that snake! I was worried it was poisonous o something and if she ate it she would get sick or worse . I finally got her to abandon her find. I chopped off it's head and into the compost pile it went. A few hours of fourm surfing later I found out I could have just let her have it, it was harmless. Oh well...I'm sure she forgave me ater I came back with some of my apology tomatoes.

Chickens eat a surprizing amount of animal prey.  Watch closely and over time and you will see them catch and eat small rodents, even young birds.  Indigo buntings seem particularly tasty.

I've seen mine get garter snakes. And they really like frogs. But, even the hens know that toads don't taste good!