Good animal for protecting my girls from rattlesnakes?

[mtngirl35]

We have a lot of rattlers in my corner of Tennessee. We see them every summer. So far none have ever bothered any of my chickens.

 

[NickTX]

I'm in south Texas and we have quite a few rattlesnakes. We haven't had any rattlesnake issues with the chickens. We free range our chickens.
King Snakes do eat other snakes but they also eat eggs.

 

[jvls1942]

move your chickens here to wisconsin. we don't have rattlesnakes except along the Minn border..

 

[Granny Hatchet]

Guinea ?

 

[CapricornFarm]

I'm in south Texas and we have quite a few rattlesnakes. We haven't had any rattlesnake issues with the chickens. We free range our chickens.
King Snakes do eat other snakes but they also eat eggs.

I had a king snake eat three young guineas and kill another!
The picture is a smaller one that showed up after i relocated the big one!

 

[CapricornFarm]

My Standard poodle used to kill every snake she saw.

 

[Dawnclucks22]

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.

 

[NickTX]

This morning I woke up to a donkey on my patio. Made me think about this post.
Donkeys will kill snakes. This donkey started chasing our rooster though. I dont know if they can be trained but they can definitely be penned up.
Called all the neighbors nearby and no claims him. Not sure what to do with him. Guess i may have a new donkey.

Also best rattlesnake gaurd I have are cats. My cats will make the rattlesnakes coil and rattle. We hear them and get rid of them.

 

[NickTX]

I had a king snake eat three young guineas and kill another!

Yep. Neighbors have guineas. They said the guineas actually don't kill any snakes. Just make massive noise until the snake leaves. I hear those guineas all night long. Good thing is their far enough i can't hear them in the house. They have about 18-20.

 

[Summer Lion]

Right. But animals that would protect chickens from rattlesnakes? What about that?

I live with rattlesnakes and copperhead. All animals are at risk around rattlesnakes. There is no animal you can get that will protect you or chickens from them. All you'll be doing is taking your "protector" to the vet for 1000's of dollars for anti venom treatment and MAYBE it will survive.....or burying it. No such thing.