i just thought i'd let you all know that i have 2 confirmed reports from friends who have witnessed a black snake constricting and killing their hen(s). they try to swallow their heads, but can't. you will know bc there is a slime left on their heads. this is important information as i have NEVER heard this before, and only heard what we all thought, that black snakes do not harm the chickens. i don't know what extenuating circumstances there were for the snake to try to swallow a full grown chicken, but it did happen.