Had some high drama in the coop last night. Should start off by saying there are a LOT of snakes where I live, rat snakes, timber rattlers, copperheads, etc... I don't kill them but trying to keep the rat snakes out of the coop is a continual challenge.
So last night i locked the chickens up at dusk and was chilling when around 10 I heard a bird "scream". Wasn't sure if it was one of my birds or what but I grabbed a flashlight and raced out to the coop. Sure enough, when I got inside the hen house I saw a huge rat snake coiled/constricting on the poop shelf with a couple of little bantam wings sticking out.
Don't recall exactly what happened next because it happened so fast, I grabbed the snake knowing it would release if frightened, and sort of flung my arm down. Next thing I recall was looking down and seeing the snake hanging off my forearm by his teeth. I think i grabbed him gently around the neck and he detached and disappeared. Poor little bantam was now on the floor (?).
Not breathing, couldn't feel signs of life. I put my mouth over her little beak and puffed a bit of air in and she started breathing but her neck pulled way back in a "death posture", if you know what I mean. After holding her for a few seconds I pushed her neck forward a bit and she just sat there, eyes closed. The rest of the birds were NOT happy, they were all staring at the coop floor trying to spot the snake (which was long gone, at this point a couple of my dogs were coming into the coop).
I brought the hen into the house and sat her down on some clean laundry, then went to set up a cat carrier for the night. By the time I did that she did manage to open her eyes completely.
Fortunately this morning she was perky and "right as rain". I was afraid she may die from shock over night, or have broken bones/cracked ribs from the constriction but she seems fine. Fed her some scrambled egg with a bit of herpes medication (have Mareks in the flock) and put her back in the coop, she was feeling feisty and even chased one of her grown chicks around in a dominance display (she is never dominant).
Debating if she should be on antibiotics, she may have gotten puncture bite wounds too. I think I will wait to see how she does, if I don't get an infection she is probably okay, I would expect her immune system to be more resistant than mine? Except if she was bit she may not have bled enough wash out bacteria.
So anyway, had to share my story. Soooooo glad I heard that scream, she is one of my favorite little bantams, also a great broody. I got her as a retired show bird 3 years ago so she is about 7 now. I thought the hen house was snake proof, guess I need to reinforce things a bit more. Photos below.
Poor little bird right after the attack:
Pic of her last year raising some layer chicks:
Pic of my battle scar courtesy of Mr. Rat Snake:
So last night i locked the chickens up at dusk and was chilling when around 10 I heard a bird "scream". Wasn't sure if it was one of my birds or what but I grabbed a flashlight and raced out to the coop. Sure enough, when I got inside the hen house I saw a huge rat snake coiled/constricting on the poop shelf with a couple of little bantam wings sticking out.
Don't recall exactly what happened next because it happened so fast, I grabbed the snake knowing it would release if frightened, and sort of flung my arm down. Next thing I recall was looking down and seeing the snake hanging off my forearm by his teeth. I think i grabbed him gently around the neck and he detached and disappeared. Poor little bantam was now on the floor (?).
Not breathing, couldn't feel signs of life. I put my mouth over her little beak and puffed a bit of air in and she started breathing but her neck pulled way back in a "death posture", if you know what I mean. After holding her for a few seconds I pushed her neck forward a bit and she just sat there, eyes closed. The rest of the birds were NOT happy, they were all staring at the coop floor trying to spot the snake (which was long gone, at this point a couple of my dogs were coming into the coop).
I brought the hen into the house and sat her down on some clean laundry, then went to set up a cat carrier for the night. By the time I did that she did manage to open her eyes completely.
Fortunately this morning she was perky and "right as rain". I was afraid she may die from shock over night, or have broken bones/cracked ribs from the constriction but she seems fine. Fed her some scrambled egg with a bit of herpes medication (have Mareks in the flock) and put her back in the coop, she was feeling feisty and even chased one of her grown chicks around in a dominance display (she is never dominant).
Debating if she should be on antibiotics, she may have gotten puncture bite wounds too. I think I will wait to see how she does, if I don't get an infection she is probably okay, I would expect her immune system to be more resistant than mine? Except if she was bit she may not have bled enough wash out bacteria.
So anyway, had to share my story. Soooooo glad I heard that scream, she is one of my favorite little bantams, also a great broody. I got her as a retired show bird 3 years ago so she is about 7 now. I thought the hen house was snake proof, guess I need to reinforce things a bit more. Photos below.
Poor little bird right after the attack:
Pic of her last year raising some layer chicks:
Pic of my battle scar courtesy of Mr. Rat Snake:
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