HUGE Black snake in chicken coop. Can’t Get him out

[Themellowyellows]

What happend to the snake?

 

[McChooky]

Still lurking somewhere in the rafters unless she's borrowed a hoe. It'll he hard to drag it out without one.Minnow trap with eggs will trap it

 

[WHB3]

OK, I went to close my chickens coop up and I found a black snake. That’s gotta be a good 7 foot long in the rafters. I need to close them up and I cannot get the snake out and he’s getting a little testy when I try about 8 foot up and I’m 5 foot tall. He’s not real happy with me wanting to mess with him. Will he hurt my chickens? They’re all full grown. I want to think he wouldn’t but dang this thing big
I’m scared to close them up alone in the night with him

Won't harm your chickens, and will help keep unwanted critters out of your coop. It may take some of your eggs, and chicks may be at risk. Black snakes can be a little nippy when disturbed, but more often than not it'll just want to put some distance between itself and you. If it's in the rafters its likely patrolling for rodents!

 

[SullyD]

It is a harmless Black racer. Actually a beneficial snake to have around. It is most likely there preying on rats or mice that come around to eat any chicken feed that may be in the coop (or anything else chickens like). It might steal an egg or two as payment for keeping your coop pest free If you let your chickens out in the morning, leave the door open and it may just leave on its own. And they can be feisty, but you are a much bigger threat to them than they are to you.

 

[SullyD]

I second hoeing the snake once you get him down. He could absolutely strangle one of your birds

a full grown chicken is too big for it to eat (they swallow it whole), so it wouldnt waste it energy "strangling" one.

 

[WHB3]

View attachment 3903307View attachment 3903308
The bottom picture is when I found him. The top picture is what he looks like now that I’ve tried to mess with him to get him out. He was trying to strike my garden rake I was trying to use

That's a real beauty. Probably likes the heat up there too, as it's good for digestion! If you're committed to getting it out, put on a pair of leather gloves, gently take hold of the fattest part of the snake's body available, and with gentle, but steady pressure begin to pull the snake away from the ledge. If it tries to nip your gloved hand you can, with your other hand grasp it behind its head, and continue to slowly pull the snake 'out'. If you feel resistance just keep a steady pressure on the 'fat' part you're holding, and the snake will release whatever it's trying to hold onto with its tail. Your black snake is quite healthy looking which suggests its been eating well, and that suggests you'll want to look into another form of rodent control IF you choose to evict the snake. Be aware that if you remove the snake, you'll need to release it a good distance from your coop, and even then it may find its way back. In other reptile species the tendency to return is based on 'site fidelity', which is established with length of time at a site, and what the site offers, i.e. food and shelter.

 

[Mshafer01]

View attachment 3903307View attachment 3903308
The bottom picture is when I found him. The top picture is what he looks like now that I’ve tried to mess with him to get him out. He was trying to strike my garden rake I was trying to use

I know this is a late reply but here it goes. I found a black snake near my coup once and this is what I did. I got citronella essential oil and mixed in a dark glass spray bottle (to prolong its use), mixed with 8oz water. Shake gently with every use and spray coop every day. I also get minced garlic and sprinkle liberally in and around coop. Snakes hate both smells and it doesn't bother chickens or ducks. I haven't seen a snake since. Hope this helps

 

[Chicken Heel]

That is one large snake... in my experiences with black snakes over the past 50+ years, if there are large ones, there is usually a mate of similar size hanging around as well. Getting them down from rafters is never a fun experience. And if you get rid of an alpha like this one, most of the time, several smaller ones show up to take its place. This would potentially include poisonous varieties as well.

 

[DoniJ]

OK, I went to close my chickens coop up and I found a black snake. That’s gotta be a good 7 foot long in the rafters. I need to close them up and I cannot get the snake out and he’s getting a little testy when I try about 8 foot up and I’m 5 foot tall. He’s not real happy with me wanting to mess with him. Will he hurt my chickens? They’re all full grown. I want to think he wouldn’t but dang this thing big
I’m scared to close them up alone in the night with him

He most likely will not bite. Even if he does, he is not dangerous to you (I am assuming this is a Black Rat Snake). He will however eat your eggs!!! He may even try to eat any smaller chickens you may have. At that size, he will eat a large rat, small squirrel or small rabbit. You can try to judge whether he is a danger to your ladies from that info.
I would get a ladder and reach up gently and slowly, soas not to scare him and just pull him down.
Relocate him further away from your coop.

 

[TrustyRusty]

OK, I went to close my chickens coop up and I found a black snake. That’s gotta be a good 7 foot long in the rafters. I need to close them up and I cannot get the snake out and he’s getting a little testy when I try about 8 foot up and I’m 5 foot tall. He’s not real happy with me wanting to mess with him. Will he hurt my chickens? They’re all full grown. I want to think he wouldn’t but dang this thing big
I’m scared to close them up alone in the night with him

A good, clean head shot with .22 caliber "bird shot, also known as snake load" should do the trick. First, chase your birds out of their pen; then your take your grandfather's old .22 caliber rifle and point it at the snake's head. Be sure you are about ten to fifteen feet away and wearing protective eyewear. Let her rip and jump back in case you don't kill him with the first shot. Use someone with a garden hoe for backup. Be ready for a second or third shot if necessary. Check the snake's tail for rattles and, if not, it could be a large Cotton Mouth. Either way, it could be very dangerous, for chickens AND people! Good Luck. If you are afraid of guns, call your local animal control or county trapper for help.