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Just Watched one of my Reds Kill and Eat a snake.

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post #1 of 6

6/20/12 at 11:33am

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UnionMan

Joined: 5/2012
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Well i was watching the chickens outside when a bunch of commotion caught my attention and watched some of my 10-14 week old pullets come running out of the wood line with one of the Reds in the lead with a small 8inch or so snake in her mouth with the other pullets fallowing suite trying to take it from her. She quickly put it on the ground and pecked at it but once another red tried to snatch it from her she gobbled it right down. I could'nt believe what i was seeing. It was kinda neat but I was wondering is a chicken able to digest a snake or will I lose her because she wont be able to digest it?

Edited Added Picture. I circled it in red.

Edited by UnionMan - 6/20/12 at 11:52am

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post #2 of 6

6/20/12 at 12:06pm

chicmom
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Location: Strasburg Ohio
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I saw the same kind of thing happen, but it was with a tree frog. One of the hens had this frog hanging out of her mouth and it was like "TAG, YOU'RE IT!" The other hens noticed and it was on! LOL

She will be OK, don't worry.

Proud owner of some nice show quality Buckeyes and Silver Penciled Plymouth Rocks. I love gardening and being outdoors. I'm lucky to have a great family, and two cute dogs. I live out in the country on six wooded acres and it's just paradise! (Except the mortgage payment and bills, of course)

post #3 of 6

6/20/12 at 1:58pm

Paul_A

Location: Palm Harbor, Florida
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Interesting. I came home from work last night and found an 18" long tail of a black snake in my backyard.

This morning I found a 3" long piece of the head and neck and a few paces away the rest of the body, about 12" worth was lying on the ground.

So some time yesterday my four hens tore up and partially ate a snake. I just wish I was home to witness the mayhem. I bet it was a sight!

post #4 of 6

6/20/12 at 4:11pm

tellynpeep

Location: SW New Hampshire
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That's quick action with the camera!

Yes, snakes are omnivores and will eat everything including each other. I've also had them swallow frogs whole!

post #5 of 6

6/24/12 at 5:22pm

chfite

Location: Taylors, SC
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My chickens ate a 4 foot snake the other day.

Chris

post #6 of 6

6/25/12 at 11:31am

RedDrgn
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Location: Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
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They should be able to digest it just fine. The only cause for concern there would be if it happened to be a poisonous snake and the venom glands were ingested.

Not surprised that they did that, though. My chickens were on the opposite side of my neighbor's wood pile (located adjacent to our property line) while my neighbor was splitting and stacking wood. He disturbed an adult garter snake that had been in the pile and it zipped right into the middle of the flock. What a commotion! I was outside at the time, heard them, and went running (having no idea what had happened). When I got there, our roo had the girls herded against our deck (though they were craning a look at him) and he was pecking and flogging, what at first appeared to be, the ground. When I got closer, I saw that it was a snake. I shooshed the roo away and saved the snake, who was quite PO'ed, but not seriously injured. I took the snake to the compost/brush pile area, which the chickens mostly ignore. Hopefully, he won't be stupid enough to return!

A Mixed 6-Chicken Flock