I think I may have a snake issue. I have noticed lately that my two hens in the flock that are currently laying--who have both laid daily without fail for months--seem to have slowed down, then stopped altogether. Or so I thought at first. Then I realized it was awfully strange that they would always skip the same day. It would be either both eggs or no eggs. Hmm. So I blamed the goats that currently have to live with them until we can get them butchered. So we blocked up the coop to keep goats from going in. The chickens go in and out as they please, the goats cannot. And...no eggs at all now for several days!
About two weeks ago one goat in the pen was found dead in one of my nest boxes (small goat, big boxes, so he would sleep in there at night) curled up like he'd gone to sleep and just never woke. I could not find anything obviously wrong. Earlier this week, two Silkies were dead in the coop for no obvious reason. The only snake we have here that will kill animals like that is a rattlesnake, and that seems the most likely explanation for the deaths. Two neighbors have lost animals to confirmed snakebites in the last few weeks too. So, would the rattler be eating eggs too, or am I possibly dealing with two pests here? Currently my nest boxes are on the ground, tomorrow I will move them up off the ground to try preventing snakes from getting in so easily.
About two weeks ago one goat in the pen was found dead in one of my nest boxes (small goat, big boxes, so he would sleep in there at night) curled up like he'd gone to sleep and just never woke. I could not find anything obviously wrong. Earlier this week, two Silkies were dead in the coop for no obvious reason. The only snake we have here that will kill animals like that is a rattlesnake, and that seems the most likely explanation for the deaths. Two neighbors have lost animals to confirmed snakebites in the last few weeks too. So, would the rattler be eating eggs too, or am I possibly dealing with two pests here? Currently my nest boxes are on the ground, tomorrow I will move them up off the ground to try preventing snakes from getting in so easily.