Good animal for protecting my girls from rattlesnakes?

[jvls1942]

mongoose,
otherwise I agree with summerlion.

I have had guineas for many years.
they are quiet at night, and really don't make that much
noise in the daytime, either..

 

[Summer Lion]

Is it possible to get a fence instead? I think this might be an easier alternative. The only animal I could think of would maybe be a well-trained, big-sized dog, but they might be easier to bite.

Snake fencing is a joke and a waste of money. I had a dog bitten by a rattlesnake...they don't warn you by rattling.....another fallacy. My dog nor I seen it, just the strike. A snake can strike the length of its body easily. Not every vet nor every hospital carries anti venom because it has a short shelf life and is unbelievably expensive. Cost us 1000's to treat our dog and she was unbelievably lucky to survive. I would have to be airlifted to the hospital that carries it. Because I weigh about 117 lbs it's doubtful I'd survive the trip. There is no domesticated animal that will protect anything from rattlers without a huge risk to becoming a victim. Should you kill a rattler....do NOT post pics, nor tell your friends/neighbors. Rattlesnakes are protected & we're talking huge federal fines. It's a tough way to find out who doesn't like you, lol.

 

[dunnmom]

Herp geek fact: Rattlesnakes are very shy about animals larger than them. They can tell a larger animal is near because they can feel the amount of vibration it's footfall makes on the ground. It causes them to either flee or freeze in place and sound their warning. People or animals bitten by rattlesnakes happen because unwitting person or animal stumble upon them wandering into their territory, not the other way around. The warning noise they make is because something large is coming too close to them and is usually a good enough deterrent. Hikers are advised to purposely stomp the ground and strike the vegetation, trees, or large rocks, with their walking sticks when traversing through rattlesnake country to tell snakes they are coming through, and also to make themselves sound as huge as possible. This is why housing your chickens with a larger animal such as a donkey, or mule may indirectly help protect your flock. If you watch them, you will notice they habitually stomp their hooves. It's an evolutionarily ingrained behavior.

 

[Lah425]

When we first moved to our old place, we had lots of snakes. We got some guineas to go along with our chickens and would find pieces of snakes around and saw one of the guineas a small dead snake hanging out of his beak. So, the idea that guineas do not actually kill snakes is false. My aunt always kept guineas free ranging around her farm house in west Texas to take care of the snakes. So yes, I would suggest guineas for snakes. Another way to get rid of them is to let your hens sit some golf balls for a few days (just place a couple with their eggs) so they pick up the chicken scent. Then, scatter the golf balls around the yard. Snakes will eat the golf ball thinking it is an egg and you will never have to worry about that snake again. Or, you could see about getting a roadrunner, but I wish you tremendous luck with having and keeping a roadrunner.