Broody hen and rat snake

[jeria]

Ooohwhee, o.k. the copperheads certainly put a different spin on things! The lesser of two evils I think it can stay, but keeping him out of the coop somehow would be ideal… Have you figured out how and where it's getting access?

I've read on another forum that moth balls are good deterrents for snakes and if I recall member @Beekissed had some good snake repellent tips.

Mothballs are also toxic to people and most animals as are the fumes from them. Be cautious with them. I tried them with coons hanging bags of them from my drain spouts, they climbed right over them.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

You expect some protective services from the black rat snake. So pay it. Set aside some eggs specfically for the snake and leave them for her. That said, well fed she will be less effective for the service you want of her.

I beat my rat snake by having hens lay eggs in 55-gallon barrels the snake cannot get into.

Hungy snakes usually don't make much difference between eggs and just pipped chicks.

Not counting any nesting material in the bottom, a 55 gallon drum is only about 35 inches tall, inside measurment.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?...F9191DA0E81583FDC333F9191DA0E815&&FORM=VDRVRV

 

[centrarchid]

My nearly 72" black rat snake has not gotten into the barrels yet even if external height only about 36". Internal height is important only for hens coming and going.


I know the same snake can get out of such barrels as it has done so twice when I relocated it across the property.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Years agi I had some hens hide their nest in open 55 galion drums located in the tractor shed. I only went near there if I was needing the tractor. When I did check in, there were about two clutches of mumified baby chickens laying on the bottom of the drums. The hens could get in easly enough but the peeps found the empty drums a death trap.

 

[centrarchid]

I check the barrels daily. Purpose for those is to hatch chicks. We had barrels of old twine filled to point nest was nearly level with top. Then nest site was like provided by barn loft.