Eastern Coachwhip Snake

[Flchickn99]

We are about to move our 7 weeks old chicks to their outside coop that we build. We just noticed that there is a snake under our porch, Eastern Coachwhip. The coop is predator proofed I think but I am still so worried. Apparently those snakes can eat 7weeks old chicken. What should we do? Should we wait until they are bigger or try and relocate the snake? We have. Buff Orpingtons and Jersey Giants. Thank you!!!

 

[murphynhazel12]

How large is the snake? I would only be really concerned with bantams or very young chicks. 7 week old chicks would be fine against a snake, especially a non-constrictor like the coachwhip, but you can relocate the snake for your own peace of mind if you would like. Just don't kill it, it's an important native species. Usually the only problem people have with snakes and chickens is egg eating: however, snakes usually serve as pest control around the coop so they can be helpful too.

 

[Flchickn99]

How large is the snake? I would only be really concerned with bantams or very young chicks. 7 week old chicks would be fine against a snake, especially a non-constrictor like the coachwhip, but you can relocate the snake for your own peace of mind if you would like. Just don't kill it, it's an important native species. Usually the only problem people have with snakes and chickens is egg eating: however, snakes usually serve as pest control around the coop so they can be helpful too.

Probably around 4 feet long. We do have a rooster with them also 7 weeks old. They are pretty chunky ladies not gonna lie we definitely won’t kill it we love all animals just worried about the ladies. Thank you for advice!

 

[WingItRanch]

Let's see your coop! You said predator proof...you think lol

I'm going to be honest with you.. I had 5 ft rat snake in my "predator proof" coop. I underestimated their climbing abilities. It climbed straight up and got into a small gap between the roof and the coop (about 6 ft up). It ate all the eggs in one of my nest boxes, including the fake wooden egg...

You've got larger breeds so maybe they'll be OK? The snake ignored my adult chickens and went straight for eggs. I would be more cautious with chicks.

 

[Flchickn99]

Let's see your coop! You said predator proof...you think lol

I'm going to be honest with you.. I had 5 ft rat snake in my "predator proof" coop. I underestimated their climbing abilities. It climbed straight up and got into a small gap between the roof and the coop (about 6 ft up). It ate all the eggs in one of my nest boxes, including the fake wooden egg...

You've got larger breeds so maybe they'll be OK? The snake ignored my adult chickens and went straight for eggs. I would be more cautious with chicks.

lol that’s my fear! I say that but what if it’s not. So we will be adding smaller hardware cloth to any ventilation spots that we have that larger cloth at the moment. And we will be adding wood where the gap is between the roof and the coop. Any suggestions welcomed with open hands lol

 

[Flchickn99]

lol that’s my fear! I say that but what if it’s not. So we will be adding smaller hardware cloth to any ventilation spots that we have that larger cloth at the moment. And we will be adding wood where the gap is between the roof and the coop. Any suggestions welcomed with open hands lol

 

[Flchickn99]

lol that’s my fear! I say that but what if it’s not. So we will be adding smaller hardware cloth to any ventilation spots that we have that larger cloth at the moment. And we will be adding wood where the gap is between the roof and the coop. Any suggestions welcomed with open hands lol

Let's see your coop! You said predator proof...you think lol

I'm going to be honest with you.. I had 5 ft rat snake in my "predator proof" coop. I underestimated their climbing abilities. It climbed straight up and got into a small gap between the roof and the coop (about 6 ft up). It ate all the eggs in one of my nest boxes, including the fake wooden egg...

You've got larger breeds so maybe they'll be OK? The snake ignored my adult chickens and went straight for eggs. I would be more cautious with chicks.

 

[WingItRanch]

Let me show you where my snake got in... very similar to your pics. I added hardware cloth recently.

 

[Flchickn99]

Let me show you where my snake got in... very similar to your pics. I added hardware cloth recently.
View attachment 4112821

Wow!!! They really just be climbing! Wow glad your chickens are ok! I think we will also add that on the top of the wooden slats. I swear our coop might not be the most presentable but I’ll make sure it’s completely locked down

 

[SilverBirds]

Even the larger ones can squeeze through surprisingly small spaces. I had this 3ft rat snake get into my coop yesterday. Usually they just go after the eggs for an easy meal, but I did have a similar sized snake kill a 10 week old Wyandotte chick last year.