Bad bad snake

[Goatsanddogs]

Mr. No legs can stay, but he needs to be outta the barn. No eggs for him. We have only had one copper head snake on our property that we saw in 18 years,and that one is now gone thanks to a shovel. The chicken will eat baby snakes. Good chickie. Just until the snake cannot find eggs, its best to put the chicken in the hutch at night and let her lay in the morning there. Any comments regarding her restarting her laying habits?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

You, My Friend, are much braver than I. Once I spot a snake, and after all my screeching and squealing stops, I shoot it. But then, I live in the in a rural area and can carry.

Lol, thanks, but there was nothing really brave about it, I was just hopping MAD! We can carry here too, but I don't. I'm thinking about it, though!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I think your goat is safe.

 

[Crazychickens12]

We were having the same snake issue. I cornered him in the coop, put a live trap in there, and guided him toward the trap with a shovel. As soon as he was in we relocated him a good ways away on our property and the hens and I have been much happier.

 

[SurferchickinSB]

So there's a black snake in the barn eating the hen eggs. Should I kill it? Everyone says that Black snakes are good snakes. My husband has been helping me with my hobby farm, since I broke my foot, and has told me there has been no eggs. Today the goats were screaming in the pen. I used the scooter and got down in the pen. I figured since I am here, I'll crawl in the barn and get the egg. So thats when Mr. No Legs and I met. 3 eggs. On in the snake and two in the nest. Proof husband is not checking. Goats are fine. I put up the chicken in the bunny hutch until we can figure what to do with the unwanted snake.

I would just catch it and relocate it to a big open area of land.

 

[LoneOak]

Hubby said he will not kill the snake. He also said he would not go down to the barn and collected eggs in the dark. He said that the snake is good for mice. Like it has been said, if there's no fast food free meal available, the snake will move on. I checked first thing this morning, (7:30 am temp 62) and no egg. So I got beat, which I doubt, because the snake would of be still be in the nest enjoying his breakfast. So my chicken didn't lay her egg.... Stress from the snake.

I am thinking about having my chicken cooped for the night.(she is free ranged and goes where she wants and puts herself to bed in the goat pen.) The coop/ bunny hutch has two nesting boxes. At first, she will be upset and probably not lay. Once she gets back in to routine, and lays her egg, I can collect it. I then can let her back out and free range during the day. I am just wondering how long it may take her to readjust? Does anyone know if a black snake would hurt a 100 lb goat?

You do know that chickens don't lay every day on a exact certain schedule don't you. Just because you didn't have an egg today doesn't mean your bird is stressed out. If you only have one hen you will be lucky to get 5 eggs a week and that will decrease with time.

Get her a friend to hang out with!

 

[ShannonR]

Hubby said he will not kill the snake. He also said he would not go down to the barn and collected eggs in the dark. He said that the snake is good for mice. Like it has been said, if there's no fast food free meal available, the snake will move on. I checked first thing this morning, (7:30 am temp 62) and no egg. So I got beat, which I doubt, because the snake would of be still be in the nest enjoying his breakfast. So my chicken didn't lay her egg.... Stress from the snake.

I am thinking about having my chicken cooped for the night.(she is free ranged and goes where she wants and puts herself to bed in the goat pen.) The coop/ bunny hutch has two nesting boxes. At first, she will be upset and probably not lay. Once she gets back in to routine, and lays her egg, I can collect it. I then can let her back out and free range during the day. I am just wondering how long it may take her to readjust? Does anyone know if a black snake would hurt a 100 lb goat?

So you have one chicken, and there were 3 eggs in that nest for the snake to eat?? Hmmmm. Yeah, I will agree with your post that he definitely is not doing his job checking the nest box!!!

Me, I would tell him either the snake goes or he goes.... haha. Seriously though, I hate snakes. About half the snakes I see around the farm are rattlesnakes and I kill em. And eat them! The non poisonous ones I allow to live.... unless I caught one eating my eggs or birds that is. I had a rattlesnake try to get some poults once, mama turkey killed it, but the snake bit mama in the leg and it I ended up putting her down when it turned black and fell off.... what a waste of a good turkey hen. Die, snakes.

 

[MidGaMarine]

Kinda strange thing happened to me with a black snake. I was going to shut up my flock for the night, on my way there, I was met at the gate by a large black snake. Well, I turned to go get my fire stick, it turned and went away. I never saw it again. Yup, the mice are running rampant though.

 

[zapperbunny]

The only good snake is a dead snake. I know some folks believe black snakes (racerbacks) eat poisonous snake but this is a myth...kinda like snakes drinking from udders. I often patrol my yard armed with a .38 loaded with shot shells, but that's just me.

Kinda over the top for a snake, not even poisonous or a large constricter, wouldn’t you say?

 

[JoeInPA]

I'd kill that snake without thinking twice and not lose sleep over it. I absolutely hate snakes, venomous or not.