Most posts to this thread have offered emotional support, and that is an important contribution for BYC participants to provide. But I am uncomfortable with a thread in the BYC Predator category that limits discussion of predator management issues. So after over 20 years experience raising poultry in blacksnake country, here are some thoughts on blacksnake management for poultry owners.
Blacksnakes offer both threats and benefits to a hobby poultry facility. They are a definitely a threat to eggs and young chicks. But they also offer possible benefits in controlling rodents that can set up in poultry areas to eat and contaminate the feed. And they are also reported to deter venomous snakes like copperheads and rattlesnakes, which are themselves a threat to poultry of all sizes.
So, as with any poultry predator, the trick is to manage the threats in the most effective way. We keep all brooding hens and chicks in pen areas that are completely enclosed (sides, top and bottom) in 1” chicken wire, in addition to the usual predator protections. This size mesh keeps any snakes large enough to do damage out of these areas.
And during snake season, we try to collect eggs from nesting boxes several times a day - to avoid building up blacksnake “feast” areas. Snakes, like any other predator, are attracted by an abundant food supply. So the more multi-egg meals that that you provide, the more that the snake(s) will come looking, and vice versa.
Blacksnakes offer both threats and benefits to a hobby poultry facility. They are a definitely a threat to eggs and young chicks. But they also offer possible benefits in controlling rodents that can set up in poultry areas to eat and contaminate the feed. And they are also reported to deter venomous snakes like copperheads and rattlesnakes, which are themselves a threat to poultry of all sizes.
So, as with any poultry predator, the trick is to manage the threats in the most effective way. We keep all brooding hens and chicks in pen areas that are completely enclosed (sides, top and bottom) in 1” chicken wire, in addition to the usual predator protections. This size mesh keeps any snakes large enough to do damage out of these areas.
And during snake season, we try to collect eggs from nesting boxes several times a day - to avoid building up blacksnake “feast” areas. Snakes, like any other predator, are attracted by an abundant food supply. So the more multi-egg meals that that you provide, the more that the snake(s) will come looking, and vice versa.
