Huge Snake problems

[schmedlap]

snakes are ok in the woods and fields, not in the yard, the coop, the barn or the garden. snake repellant is bogus (snake-oil). I've heard that minnow traps work, as well as glue traps. I could never use a glue trap. I use a .22 revolver with .22 LR bird shot, aka rat shot. 100% effective. toss the carcass out in the field near the woods. something will eat it, fox 'coon, buzzard, hawk, or eagle. they don't bother my girls or come in the yard except maybe to chase down a rabbit. looked out the kitchen window one day and saw what I thought was one of the hens fussin' with something on the ground so I went to get her to put back in the coop. just as I bent over to pick her up, it flew away. it was a hawk eating a rabbit. good thing I didn't pick it up.

 

[Dr Dangerous]

Seriously considering 1/4" hardware cloth, but it may be a while before I can get it installed. I've also heard that snakes create a fear pheromone when killed, and if I burn the snake near my coop the smell will drive other snakes away... Not sure. There are so many rumors, theories, and ideas I've heard to chase them away. So far I've removed all trees and bushes from around my run, spread some of the snake repellent, sealed the roof caps, and plugged up the few small holes that I could find. I usually don't mind them in the yard or garden, just don't want them in my coop. I've thus far been relocating them a few miles away from my coop, but the next ones are in trouble. Lol. How would I go about finding a snake den?

Call the local Ag extension or Dept of Natural Resources. They may know a few people that will come out and trap them. They need to go FAR away.

 

[bettyalford]

I had a huge snake problem last year and I found the solution for me was to surround my chicken house with the netting that is used to cover fruit trees. I found out accidentally when I found a snake tangled in a package I had opened, unrolled and left laying on the ground. My chicken house is about 6ft x8ft and I think it took 3 packages to surround it. I think I paid 3 or 4 dollars a package but I have never had a snake get past it. They get tangled in the net and can't out. It seems their scales get caught in the net. I just untangle them and let them go in the woods on my property on the other side of a creeek.

 

[Chickenmeme]

I've got 4 week old chicks, and 6 week old jumbo coturnix quail (the coturnix are separated in an elevated cage covered with 1/4 " snake wire, which is not working) this past week I've pulled 5 different 6-8 ft Rat snakes out of my coop. They're decimating my eggs, they've gotten 5 of my chicks, today I pulled one out after it ate 2 of my jumbo coturnix, and found another one with it. As I was grabbing it the snake was going after another of my chicks. Luckily I got the snake before it got my chicks. I don't have a rodent problem, I stay on top of it with regularly baited traps. They're only there for the chicks and quail. I am beyond frustrated, and this many large snakes in such a short period of time tells me I have a huge issue. Not even my rooster or guineas are keeping them out. How can I keep them out of my hen house, and away from my chicks, and quail? Does anyone know of what I could use as a repellent? Is there a certain type of chicken that will go after snakes?

I am having the same problem!! 3 so far his week. I put moth balls all around the outside and thought it was working but lots of rain made them ineffective. I put more out but found anothersnake last night. Today I’m putting even smaller wire around my coop and hoping that helps.

 

[slat]

I use this on the outside bottom of my run. https://www.menards.com/main/buildi...g-metal-lath/87828/p-1492410102362-c-5695.htm It's durable, somewhat light weight and the way it's made it's a little sharp. I know you can get it at Menards and Lowes. Home Depot and other places like that should have it or can get it. My chickens have access to there run 24/7 through the spring, summer and fall. We do close them up at night in the winter sometimes. So far I haven't had issues with predators. We have had some foxes, raccoons and possums in the area. This might be an option to explore.

 

[dawg53]

I use this on the outside bottom of my run. https://www.menards.com/main/buildi...g-metal-lath/87828/p-1492410102362-c-5695.htm It's durable, somewhat light weight and the way it's made it's a little sharp. I know you can get it at Menards and Lowes. Home Depot and other places like that should have it or can get it. My chickens have access to there run 24/7 through the spring, summer and fall. We do close them up at night in the winter sometimes. So far I haven't had issues with predators. We have had some foxes, raccoons and possums in the area. This might be an option to explore.

That's good stuff. I have about 6 sheets of it and it works great. You paid a good price for it. At Lowe's it's almost double the price you paid for it.

 

[msmidwick]

I did the snake deterrent stuff and it worked until it rained! Then it stopped working. Here in Florida that is a problem. I now have a pesky snake we are going to catch as it is eating the eggs. We'll catch it and put in a box and take miles away from the chickens!

 

[jolenesdad]

Whenever I get snakes, my grass is too tall. The larger the buffer of short grass that I have, the less snakes. Snakes hate being exposed to predators.

yourquail for sure are enclosed fully right? I framed in the insides of my doors a little at the bottom to close a gap. You could also do this on the outside with some brackets and a removable piece of 2x4

 

[glendor787]

I've got 4 week old chicks, and 6 week old jumbo coturnix quail (the coturnix are separated in an elevated cage covered with 1/4 " snake wire, which is not working) this past week I've pulled 5 different 6-8 ft Rat snakes out of my coop. They're decimating my eggs, they've gotten 5 of my chicks, today I pulled one out after it ate 2 of my jumbo coturnix, and found another one with it. As I was grabbing it the snake was going after another of my chicks. Luckily I got the snake before it got my chicks. I don't have a rodent problem, I stay on top of it with regularly baited traps. They're only there for the chicks and quail. I am beyond frustrated, and this many large snakes in such a short period of time tells me I have a huge issue. Not even my rooster or guineas are keeping them out. How can I keep them out of my hen house, and away from my chicks, and quail? Does anyone know of what I could use as a repellent? Is there a certain type of chicken that will go after snakes?

Check essential oils. I forgot which ones, but I think peppermint will keep snakes away. Ask around, after you found which one, get a cotton ball with it and put them around your cage/coop. Dogs will definitely go after a snake. Your situation is unfortunate because black snakes are good for the environment.
Good luck!

 

[Neggative]

Where is a hawk when you need one ?!

there over at my place eating all my chickens.....

and just catch the snakes put them in a five gallon bucket with a few air holes in the lid and drive them a couple of miles away....