Found A Snake on the Coop- Good or Bad? (photo)

[MrsRevDr]

Not the best photo, found him curled up on top of the coop in the shade, he was maybe 2 feet long, not mature? I think he could have got inside if he wanted to. Someone said he might be a "rat snake", I live in the Florida panhandle, if I see any again should I kill them ( I would really hate to). After some gentle poking with a shovel he moved along and off into the woods.

 

[rooster brandon.]

Well i would say good enless you have chickies and bad for the snakeif you have full grown chickens if you have chickies find a way to snake proof there cage..A chicken will kill it i would say.

 

[McGoo]

Do you have any little chicks? If so, I'd be concerned. If not, you're most likely fine. pretty long snake.

 

[hisdaughter]

The pic makes him look a lot longer than 2 ft. Not sure what type but snakes do eat rodents. Seen any mice, rats around trying to eat the left over chicken feed? Glad he scurried off and hopefully not to ever return again!!!

 

[Judy]

Around here they are called either a rat snake or a chicken snake. I had a 2' long one eat a baby chick not long ago. He was probably in the coop looking for eggs. Whenever my egg production drops I go looking for the snake, and usually find a rat snake.

When I lived in a different place we had several bird feeders. They would hang around on or near the feeders for the birds. We always relocated because they also eat mice. I'm not one for relocating most predators -- but a rat snake, definitely. I'd rather lose an egg now and then than get overrun by mice.

 

[YYZ]

You should probably catch the snake and relocate it . if possible.

 

[justafewchickens]

I say it looks like a corn snake. They will go after chicks, but full grown chickens or chicks too big for them are safe. They are great for rodent control.

 

[MrsRevDr]

My RIR are almost 8 weeks, no evidence he bothered them. I think if he wanted to he could have got one, I have 5 very densely wooded acres behind the coop and that's where he went. Never seen a mouse or rat but they haven't been outside long. He was very long but very skinny, not full grown I suspect. I don't mind him if he doesn't pose a [problem to my growing chickens, does make me reconsider free ranging them in my fence I thought hawks I'd have to worry about but not snakes.

 

[Iowa Roo Mom]

Looks like you've got yourself a common grey rat snake, they are non-venomous. Black rat snakes are common up here. I liked for them to be around because they keep the mice and rats in check. I would be more worried about a snake that size getting an egg or two rather than any of your birds, unless you have chicks. I say live and let live when it comes to snakes, but then, you are talking to the woman who has two snakes as pets.

Just sayin'

 

[Kudzu]

Yep, what she said, Grey Rat Snake, a/k/a Chicken Snake, harmless but worrisome. I would relocate it, but I realize some people are a little skittish about snakes.