Well, it's that time of year again...Snakes can be very intimidating I agree. But really if you just learn which ones pose a real threat and which ones are harmless to you then they aren't so bad. For example even if you were bit by say, a harmless garden snake, it feels something like getting pecked by one of your chickens, not a big deal at all. However there is the necessity of keeping them out of the coups, especially in a dark place such as the nesting box where we are likely to place our hands without looking first. This could lead to a disaster if an angry rattler is feasting on a clutch of eggs. With that said, your best solution is to make sure your run is secure from being penetrated by covering the whole fenced area with a bird mesh and then placing a bundle of loose mesh at the bottom so that any snakes trying to enter from the bottom get caught up in it and can then be either 1. caught and released or 2. dispatched with a garden hoe.
This is your most effective way (in my opinion) at dealing with snakes, and there are many threads on BYC dealing with it. Please do NOT use that worthless and extremely toxic garbage called Snake Away, or any similar products. They contain highly toxic substances which even if they don't kill our pets run off into the creeks, streams, and rivers, poisoning our fish and destroying our water ways. These products include moth balls and I wish to heaven they were banned from even being used. So, considering the residual effects of these products, I completely disagree with their use and would much rather see a less drastic method employed since in this case, the ends don't justify the means. Here is a bit of information from the Humane Society website describing the toxic nature of moth balls which may interest you in the event that you have already used this product and have pets they may inhale or ingest it, which of course includes your chickens. Please note that even if you keep your chickens from eating this product you can't keep them from inhaling the fumes!
Moth Balls
Moth balls are not actually used to kill moths, but rather contain a substance which is used to repel moths from your closets. Either naphthalene or para dichlorobenzene, can be used in moth balls, and both substances are toxic. This chemical tends to change it's state from a solid to a gas form very quickly. If inhailed it can be fatal, and if ingested moth balls are extremely harmful. Do not induce vomiting if ingested - rather drink plenty of water and consult a veterinarian as soon as possible. Moth balls can cause hemolytic anemia, a decrease in red blood cells, or the amount of hemoglobin the body produces. This can inhibit the blood from supplying the required amounts of oxygen to the body. Symptoms can include: weakness, lethargy, increased heart and respiration rate, pale mucous membranes, jaundice, vomiting and abdominal pain. Urine may also contain traces of blood.
