snake just ate my chicken - Page 8

I think it must have been a bumper year for snakes to thrive and with chicken smell in the air, its gonna attract predators. I also think that the fireant population is way down, i dont know why, but im not complaining, this might have also helped snakes to make a comeback?

Agree!! I protect whats mine . I work hard at raising my birds I'm not gonna let something eat them or my eggs & relocate it . No way!!

Hi!  Was checking out this thread because I have had a bumper crop of snakes this summer as well.  Never had any in the coop before, but a small 5'ish one was in there while we were away and chicken sitter "scared it off" a few times until we got home and relocated him.  Had a couple of weeks with no snakes that I could see...but eggs kept disappearing.  One day saw a large snake poo in the coop.  Few days later, finally got him.  BIG rat snake.  Relocated him and then had another snake back in each day for 3 days in a row.  Relocated those 3 snakes, all about the size of the first.  Then came back from re-homing one of the snakes and found another there right away!!!  Decided enough was enough!  Completely cleaned out coop to rout out mice.  Got rid of ALL wood chips everywhere.  Have sweet PDZ on poop board and sprinkled on the floor.  Thin layer of hay inside the door as a "door mat" and nest pads in the boxes.  Put down Snake Away or something like that, 8" swath at the door, chicken door and the window.  No snakes since...still holdin' my breath!  Don't mind the mouse control at all...but don't like finding wet hens! 

 

Question...will a roo go after a snake?

 

Thanks!
 

Here's a picture of the python that made me buy a new chook house.  It couldn't get out of the little gap it had squeezed in once it had a large plymouth rock pullet in its belly!  This python and another couple of big ones have lived in my roof for years and they usually take possums (which I have everywhere).  It even laid eggs which hatched in my compost heap.  Anyway after this I bought a brand new chicken coop and when that was finnished I completely refurbished this old one to try and make it rat and snake proof.  Deb.

Pretty sure they are not native to the US. By letting them hang around you might and up with a breeding population. They can squeeze through any hole the size of their head, even if it is 2-3 ft off the ground.. BTW a 6ft python can kill a small child.

That appears to be a carpet python...native to Australia, which is where that poster is from.

Even if that was in the US, it's unlikely a breeding population would ever become established.

Have you tried any of those snake reppellors on the market? I have heard they work well, but I can't be 100% sure. Also, if it is very dry where you live, snakes are attracted to any sources of water, including the water for your chooks. I

You teach the snakes to catch and release my chickens, and I'll start catching and releasing snakes.  Deal? 

I have never seen a snake on my ceiling but I did find a shed shakes' skin on top of my living room curtains.

 

I agree that if a snake can get traction it can climb walls (or curtains) with ease.

I dont know. They have African Rock, burmese... breeding population in Florida. I dont see why there wouldnt be a chance for the carpets down there. Or other southern areas for that matter.