My mother and I were so proud of the new chicken coop with the fool proof fenced in area. We ate home grown eggs and the colors were beautiful (blue, pink & green) from our special hens. Whistler, the rooster was young and vigorous, but like the hens...rather new at dealing with danger. They are only 11 months old, but good producers; until three weeks ago. We would hear the hens protesting and run out back to the hen house only to find no threat around. I noticed they kept scratching at the fence base until it showed the lower edge (we had buried 8 inches deep). I felt confused when the eggs came up missing. I actually saw them break the shells and eat the eggs, then solved that with oyster shells and a pinch of salt in the watering bowl. We were gardening and found a 5 and a half foot chicken snake (the male) and got rid of it promptly thinking our problems were over.
A week later I am noticing a loud protest and general flapping down in the chicken coop again, and upon investigating it found the 6 foot female coiled and lifting her head up several inches threatening Whistler, our rooster. I ran and got the hoe, but slamming it down two or three times didn't do the trick. I was alone and it slithered out from under my hoe (guess I don't have the strength to make any more than a few bruises) to coil around the hoe head. It was big and around an inch thick plus very actively trying to get away! OMG! I hollered for our neighbor, but the chicken snake struggled out the 4 foot distance to escape my dull hoe. Guess that answers my questions about the missing eggs too, but I'm upset that chicken snake is still out there. It had babies too, cause I caught a one in the woodpile before running into the male a week ago. I feel shaky after the experience and wonder what my options are now.
Anyone have suggestions? Thanks, Rach
A week later I am noticing a loud protest and general flapping down in the chicken coop again, and upon investigating it found the 6 foot female coiled and lifting her head up several inches threatening Whistler, our rooster. I ran and got the hoe, but slamming it down two or three times didn't do the trick. I was alone and it slithered out from under my hoe (guess I don't have the strength to make any more than a few bruises) to coil around the hoe head. It was big and around an inch thick plus very actively trying to get away! OMG! I hollered for our neighbor, but the chicken snake struggled out the 4 foot distance to escape my dull hoe. Guess that answers my questions about the missing eggs too, but I'm upset that chicken snake is still out there. It had babies too, cause I caught a one in the woodpile before running into the male a week ago. I feel shaky after the experience and wonder what my options are now.
Anyone have suggestions? Thanks, Rach
