Any Considerations After Finding Snake?

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JinE

Chirping
Jun 3, 2020
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Oxford, NC
So we set up a camera inside our chicken coop to keep an eye on the hens. It came in real handy today! I typically check the camera first before going to get eggs because I don't want to disturb a hen if it's in the nesting boxes. When I pulled up the camera, I saw a giant snake! As you can see, it had eaten an egg - and actually already had two previous ones.

mmexport1596127831549.jpg


Well, we of course got the snake out and while perhaps unpopular to some folks here, decided to go ahead and kill it so that it didn't make return trips for easy eggs. In reviewing the camera footage, the snake had crawled into the coop from the platform in the run (which we keep open because we let our chickens free range and they will come back to the coop during the day to lay eggs).

Any suggestions for how to shore up the coop/run? I want to be able to let my chickens free range as they please and still have access to food, water, and nesting boxes. Also, once a snake has been in the coop, do I need to clean it a certain way? Will my chickens stop laying for a period of time? Thanks in advance for any thoughts or advice this group can provide!
 
So we set up a camera inside our chicken coop to keep an eye on the hens. It came in real handy today! I typically check the camera first before going to get eggs because I don't want to disturb a hen if it's in the nesting boxes. When I pulled up the camera, I saw a giant snake! As you can see, it had eaten an egg - and actually already had two previous ones.



Well, we of course got the snake out and while perhaps unpopular to some folks here, decided to go ahead and kill it so that it didn't make return trips for easy eggs. In reviewing the camera footage, the snake had crawled into the coop from the platform in the run (which we keep open because we let our chickens free range and they will come back to the coop during the day to lay eggs).

Any suggestions for how to shore up the coop/run? I want to be able to let my chickens free range as they please and still have access to food, water, and nesting boxes. Also, once a snake has been in the coop, do I need to clean it a certain way? NoWill my chickens stop laying for a period of time?No Thanks in advance for any thoughts or advice this group can provide! I have been having problems with snakes too. We bought some commercial snake repellent that does work. The problem is that it has to be reapplied biweekly or sooner if it rains. It's nasty to work with; the slightest amount stings badly. Last week I forgot to reapply to the homer loft and every squab and egg was taken. I have yet to figure out how the snake gets in, but know it does not have to be much of an opening for small snakes, but... Two of the squabs were nearly as big as an adult so the snake has to be of good size.
 
nchls school said:
I have been having problems with snakes too. We bought some commercial snake repellent that does work. The problem is that it has to be reapplied biweekly or sooner if it rains. It's nasty to work with; the slightest amount stings badly. Last week I forgot to reapply to the homer loft and every squab and egg was taken. I have yet to figure out how the snake gets in, but know it does not have to be much of an opening for small snakes, but... Two of the squabs were nearly as big as an adult so the snake has to be of good size.
Click to expand...

What's the name/ brand of the snake repellent?
 
I have had several rat snakes living in/around the coop for years now. It is part of chicken keeping and I do NOT kill them for moral reasons as well as the fact native reptiles are protected under Georgia law. There is never just "one" snake, most coops end up with several resident snakes and the snakes keep the rat population in check.

They only pose a threat to birds at NIGHT, during the day they aren't a concern and just eat the occasional egg. Make sure the hen house is secure (check for gaps around doors etc..) so when you lock up at night they cannot get in.

Here is one I found in the coop a couple of days ago. He/she is a very docile harmless animal that was hungry and simply wanted an egg, I would have given it one but there weren't any. It was easily picked up and carried out of the coop.

P1040229.JPG
 
Sonya9 said:
I have had several rat snakes living in/around the coop for years now. It is part of chicken keeping and I do NOT kill them for moral reasons as well as the fact native reptiles are protected under Georgia law. There is never just "one" snake, most coops end up with several resident snakes and the snakes keep the rat population in check.

They only pose a threat to birds at NIGHT, during the day they aren't a concern and just eat the occasional egg. Make sure the hen house is secure (check for gaps around doors etc..) so when you lock up at night they cannot get in.

Here is one I found in the coop a couple of days ago. He/she is a very docile harmless animal that was hungry and simply wanted an egg, I would have given it one but there weren't any. It was easily picked up and carried out of the coop.

View attachment 2268930
Click to expand...
I would agree for the most part, snakes are beneficial. There's more than one specie of snake that will eat eggs and some don't stop with just eggs. Baby birds of all kinds are on the menu and I've lost squabs, chicks, and poults to the snakes. Also, three brooding birds were killed and left laying in their nests/eggs gone; a homer hen, a cochin bantam, and a serama bantam. While native snakes are protected, I think a poultry owner has the right to destroy a snake that's raiding the hen house.
I would, happily, leave the snake have eggs if eggs were all that's being eaten/killed.
 
nchls school said:
. Baby birds of all kinds are on the menu and I've lost squabs, chicks, and poults to the snakes. Also, three brooding birds were killed and left laying in their nests/eggs gone; a homer hen, a cochin bantam, and a serama bantam.
Click to expand...

I have never had a snake hurt one of my birds during the day, not even setting hens.

At night they are a risk to smaller birds but that is why I have a hen house.
 
Any snake that comes in my territory ends up a dead one! I lived in a house with snakes for too many years (4) maybe! I was already afraid of them, but living with them was a big heck no!
Sorry not sorry! I’m glad we live where we do!
 

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