rrchic23111
Hatching
Last night a 6ft black rat snake ruined all my beliefs about snakes not going after chickens. My hens have not started laying yet but could any day based on age. I have spent many of days and hours building, securing, and patrolling this coop n run but it wasn't enough. While I sat on my porch I seen 1 of my older Silkies fly up off a piece of wood squawking mercifully. I immediatly ran to her and her twin (not really twins but inseparable) both took off. I seen her limping and looked by wood an seen a snake. It was dark so wasn't sure if it was copperhead an sent daughter for the gun. Before I could even get myself 2gether he had made it to coop and the girls had their butts hanging over ledge perched as usual and he took ahold of one of them. I'm irrational now as I raised these hens and silkies since only days old and he is now on #3 for no reason. 2 shots wit the 12 gauge tryn2 not hit hens or baby silkies in other half of coop and it's finally over. My feelings toward the GOOD snakes is shattered. Wasn't a copperhead after all instead a 6ft black rat snake. I kept all 3hens in my house for night 2 are doing well yet one of silkies eyes is shut where she was bit but she's still mobile. 2nd silkie has a severely swollen foot and barely walking. I'm hoping they will all live. Just wanted to share because most claim snakes won't bite or kill hens of this size and what I seen last night was the complete opposite.