Hens Refuse to Lay in Nesting Boxes After Snake Incident

[kg5ie]

My hens quit laying in the hen house and started laying in the flower beds. At first I thought they just wanted the nesting hay refreshed. While pulling out the hay I pulled out a 6' Texas Rat Snake (aka) Chicken Snake. The snake still had an egg in it when it met its demise.

I changed out the nesting hay but the chickens still refuse to lay in the nesting boxes. How do I get them to start using them again?

Thanks,
Bill

 

[TwoCrows]

A snake is definitely going to make an impression on them and cause them fear. Keep fake eggs in the nest boxes all the time to help convince them that it is safe to lay in them. You could lock them in the coop for a day so that they might be more inclined to lay in the boxes. Chickens tend to lay in the same place everyday. If they see the eggs in the boxes and they are stuck inside, somebody might lay in one of the boxes and may encourage the others to do so.

Oh and

 

[kg5ie]

The darn snake ate 3 of my ceramic eggs. I am going to have to get some more or go excavate the snake and retrieve them.....

 

[7L Farm]

The darn snake ate 3 of my ceramic eggs. I am going to have to get some more or go excavate the snake and retrieve them.....

Here's one that ate my fake egg. I got it back.

 

[ChicKat]

The darn snake ate 3 of my ceramic eggs. I am going to have to get some more or go excavate the snake and retrieve them.....

Welcome to the forum....
Y'all and 7L so awfully gruesome. TwoCrows idea makes good sense. Chickens are pretty smart about being safe...any chance to move the nesting boxes if locking them in doesn't work. Hate those snakes too!