baby chicks and snakes?????

[zylechicks]

We have a flock of 22 mature layers and are raising another 12 chicks that were born 7/21. I would like to move them into our mini chicken coop as they are almost fully feathered (wings, backs and starting to feather in neck area). They are very active and eager to get out and...well...be chickens. My husband is worried that they could be snake food as we do have alot of BIG snakes around here who will eat any eggs that we don't collect. My bet is that snakes go after eggs more than birds, and that they will not be able to catch a chick, even at night when they are roosting and sleepy. I know most of you probably don't have this concern. Would like to hear from anyone who lives in snake country and has had this same worry! Do snakes like to eat small birds?

 

[Mojo Chick'n]

I just lost 3 quail (around chick sized - they were 4 weeks old) to a snake. Granted, I had them in a cage where they could not escape, (and after eating them, he couldn't either

) but yeah, a snake, if it is big enough, will eat your chicks.

At night the chickens can't see very well, and a snake is slow and quiet, he would sneak up on them without them even noticing.

I do think that if the chicks are big enough they have a better chance. I should think that by two months old they'd be safe. I don't have a ton of snakes here - I had the one who I gave multiple chances to stop eating my eggs and quail, but he wouldn't stay on the other side of the property. (he knew an easy meal when he had one).

I also found him over by the brooder coop (houses chicks from age 3 weeks to 8 weeks old, plus an adult chicken or three). I think he was going after mice, there, however, and he didn't take any chicks that I could tell.

Oh, this was a 4 foot rat snake, btw - I know it was the same one time and again, because I painted the end of his tail Ford Tractor Blue. I would take him to the other side of our property (about 25 acres) and he'd be back within two days.

so, if the snake can get his mouth open to get around the chick, it is a possible meal for him.

meri

 

[zylechicks]

Thanks for the input. That is exactly what I needed to know. We have rat snakes as well. We found one snake in our coop that was over six feet long. They definitely come out at night and they do manage to get into the coop. Like you, we have captured snakes and then carried them to the other side of our property and you're right, they just come right back. Finally had to kill one of them because he was so persistent and aggressive. I think we will wait another week or two and let these chicks grow a bit more.

 

[Southerngirl]

I have lost 5 six week old chicks to rat snakes this year. Some were buttercups and silkies !

Thankfully we caught and killed 3 snakes and they were all over 5 ft long. We found a small hole in our chicken wire over the window where they must have been getting in. One morning I walked in and one was curled in the corner eating one of my babies! He was so big I thought a python had gotten in the coop!!! We knew something was up when we were not getting as many eggs and then our babies were missing. I absolutely hate snakes for this reason and keep a shovel inside the door just in case !!!!

There is a product called Snake Away that is sold at some feed stores, I have had other family members use it and they swear it works. Only use it if your flock is locked up and not free ranging where they might get into some of it.

 

[zylechicks]

Sorry for your loss of the chicks. That would kill me. We are in a severe drought here and alot of vegetation has died and probably the normal snake diet has been affected. They are hungry and very bold, and like you know, VERY big. I will play it safe and let them grow some more. Your input is much appreciated.