3 snakes in 3 days and now low egg production

[coach723]

You have to put the mothballs where the chickens (or any other animal) can't get them.
Same reason I use traps for mice rather than poison bait. Poison has a habit of being carried off and you don't know where it will end up. If you have dogs around, I'd be wary of the mothballs.
I'm not terribly squeamish, even though snakes are not my favorite thing. I just learned to recognize the ones that live here so I know if it's venomous or not, which helps with the initial surprise/panic. If I know it can't really hurt me, there is less to be afraid of. Easiest way is the eyes, most non-vemomous snakes have round pupils, venomous snakes have slitted pupils. Exception is coral snakes, their eyes are round, but their colors give them away. There are other identifiers, but that one's pretty easy to remember. It's just part of living in the jungle!

 

[pennyJo1960]

Yes, I do have eggs. Usually a regular supply.

I appreciate the suggestions! Can I pick your brain though? As a newbie in this chicken life, won't the chickens peck at the moth balls and eat them?
I've heard sulfur will also keep them away. Have you heard this?

Thanks again

Moth ball goes on the outside perimeter I do not have to personally we only have gartner snakes here this come from another byc friend

 

[Patty724]

Ideas on snake-away?

 

[pennyJo1960]

Ideas on snake-away?

not a clue I live in Washington state we have rain, summer more rain no nasty snakes

 

[nancykay2kay]

Sorry Penny... I assumed folks would get Texas from my TejasJeff name. I'm in central Texas...headed to introduce myself next. And THANK YOU for replying. Buying mothballs next...a coworker suggested snake-away and another said "get used to it"! :-/

I am in central Texas also and having a snake problem. I am extremely allergic to moth balls and I am going to invest in some ceramic eggs. The snake was getting into the coop by a small hole in the eaves where the rafters meet. I plugged it up with steel wool. The "snake away" is totally useless.

 

[Nardo]

I opened my chicken coop this morning and was met by the tail of a black snack with his head in one of my nesting boxes. he was gone by the time I got everyone out safely. Help! How do I keep the snakes out?

 

[Nardo]

As you also know on a personal level, the last few days have gotten very hot very fast. Sometimes mine slow down a little when it changes weather, but it sounds like yours are scared to go back in there. Good luck. It could be worse. We could be in Florida where there's a snake around every corner. We just have them around every other corner.

 

[TejasJeff]

I am in central Texas also and having a snake problem. I am extremely allergic to moth balls and I am going to invest in some ceramic eggs. The snake was getting into the coop by a small hole in the eaves where the rafters meet. I plugged it up with steel wool. The "snake away" is totally useless.

Howdy Nancy. Third time I heard someone say that about snake-away. I've lived on my place for around 20 years and knew I had snakes but they are much more noticeable now with my hens! An abundance of bunnies too - different subject though..

Reading about the holes you folks mention, I've realized mine is wide open in many areas. I too need to spend some time with wire mesh/steel wool for smaller holes.

 

[TejasJeff]

Yes, I do have eggs. Usually a regular supply.

I appreciate the suggestions! Can I pick your brain though? As a newbie in this chicken life, won't the chickens peck at the moth balls and eat them?
I've heard sulfur will also keep them away. Have you heard this?

Thanks again

I'm not sure about that either, Patty. I'm a newbie too.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Do not forget cover the steel wool with hardware cloth above all else hardware cloth
can go inside and outside