Chicken killed by snake

[Carolyn&Ron]

Has anyone had a chicken killed by a snake. Yesterday afternoon I heard our chickens making loud noises, very upset. I rushed out to the chicken houses and saw them standing around looking at our large Barred Rock hen lying lifeless--on her back. She was healthy. We have killed several Pygmy rattlers this year.I've never seen our chickens so upset over one of them dying.

 

[Cetawin]

It happens. Your flock will be upset for a few days...they really do grieve a loss, sometimes worse than others. Just make sure everyone is eating and drinking okay and reassure them the coop is safe.

It could also be one of those things where she just died. Sometimes they just die without exhibiting symptoms and other times they are ill and we just do not see it. They hide illness very well until it is really bad usually.

Sorry for you loss.

 

[chickenzoo]

I've had Silkies up to medium sized chickens killed by rat snakes. I walked in on one eating a young Silkie after it had killed two others - not pretty! This was in an enclosed barn and the Silkies were in grow out pens. That snake went to snake heaven. Then two days later it happened again with another rat snake - got a young Phoenix hen. Snake went by by and Silkies found a new place to grow, were our GP could get to.