Huge Snake problems

[Lilokieescorter]

A cat can work too, but thenbthey can go after the chicks too! Unless you can get the kitty really really young & let it grow up with the chicks

 

[Ladies-Eight]

I don't think its a plant but a .410 shotgun seems to work for me.

Also, get rid of your mice/rats and the snakes leave.

That's right dead snakes are the best snakes.

 

[free range possum]

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?

Do you have a cat? I have muscovy duc

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 pheromonme Possum, I was trapping them and releasing them far away, and then the snake issue popped up, as well as ticks, as soon as it got hot here. The scovies are effective when around but, will find shade in heat of day. I have hardware mesh but around the doors can be small small gaps, and if it's not enough room, then a snake which hunts with a Jacobs organ, zeros in on birds and will push it's way in. I decided the Possum, which would rather not work hard, was worth what she saved in tick treating the area and doesn't bother the birds since it's alot if hassle. I have quail, and about 290 chicks right now and I put steel wool where the water hose or electric goes in. I also put a small trim board around any door that reaches a few inches past the door opening. BUT, ONCE I EVECTED THE POSSUM, AND DID ALL THIS, IRONICALLY I figured that mice /pack rats tunnel under the coop walls and that's where snakes get in! I went to Harbor Freight (you can order online ) and ordered some solar gopher repellers and put one in all four sides of the bird housing. It seems to work as it sends a vibration underground. I dont know of anyone else around ehom the snakes arent avoiding but me. I also installed a solar electric wire just off the ground around my free range area. I personnally can live eith the possum that cant get to my birds and it ears rodents and snakes. Lessor of the evils. I also trimmed all trees so there are not any branches any closer than 10 feet from coops/cages as snakes like to drop from trees. Our Texas rat snakes are very long, hungry and narrow bodied so they can devastate birds. They are big enough to drag a full grown buff down, kill it and swallow to shoulders but not past that so will spit it out dead and proceed to several more. Id say the tree trimming, fixing door and hose electrical openings are pretty good but I think the solar mole chaser gets rid of the mice in feed area and stops them from diggibg tunnels under all the hardware mesh, and O thi k thats the o e expense WELL Worth investing in. Harbor freight has coupon codes 20%/25% off too!
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?

Iduck suggest a feral kitty you can tame down, and save it from the pound. Not an adult unless it is a barn kitty. I keep muscovy and they are serious guardians. Oddly enough, although everyone calls me

 

[Cribbs74]

So, I am not against killing things whatsoever. Snakes though, get a free pass. They are more important than most realize and the vast majority are non-venomous. If you would prefer rats and mice then get rid of the snakes. If you prefer disease then also get rid of the snake. The best suggestion I have read in the past 7 pages is hardware cloth. My entire 10’x10’ enclosure is lined with 1/4” hardware cloth. Any snakes small enough to get through those tiny holes aren’t eating eggs or quail.

 

[free range possum]

Thanks... I'll look for it. I have CNG (Certifed naturally grown) status for my gardens though, so it will have to be ORMI approved for me to be able to use it.

You have to have a ORMI Approval to use bird netting to protect your birds? Snakes are organic, but I'm sure not going to let some person/organization whom doesn't feed, care for or love my birds, tell me I can't use a certain bird net, type of bird or a certain type of shovel to protect my babies !

 

[thepick4uchicks]

I’m th

Thank you all for replying. Keep the ideas coming. Unfortunately pigs, and peacocks aren't an option for me either. I'm a little worried about the cost of covering my entire coop in snake wire. But I'll definitely be looking into the snake deterrent products. Does anyone know if there are any plants that repel snakes?

im Thinking the rat snake population must be up everywhere because we have never had an issue seeing them close to our house and we have lots of wild birds who nest close to our house and in our carport also- house wrens to name one kind and we also have a huge tulip tree as well next to our house and backyard pool which houses many a nest. We have seen two this year and we may see one every five years or so. Odd.

 

[Rivendell Chick]

You have to have a ORMI Approval to use bird netting to protect your birds? Snakes are organic, but I'm sure not going to let some person/organization whom doesn't feed, care for or love my birds, tell me I can't use a certain bird net, type of bird or a certain type of shovel to protect my babies !

I was referring to a snake repellent powder that had been suggested, not any sort of physical barrier. The coop is close enough to one of my market gardens that I have to be very careful about what I use for/around my chickens.

 

[Sooner Magnolia]

So, I am not against killing things whatsoever. Snakes though, get a free pass. They are more important than most realize and the vast majority are non-venomous. If you would prefer rats and mice then get rid of the snakes. If you prefer disease then also get rid of the snake. The best suggestion I have read in the past 7 pages is hardware cloth. My entire 10’x10’ enclosure is lined with 1/4” hardware cloth. Any snakes small enough to get through those tiny holes aren’t eating eggs or quail.

Absolutely agree. We relocate rat snakes found in the coop. We have killed 3 pygmy rattlesnakes though. I have kids and a 1 year old heeler puppy who loves pestering anything that moves. I do have new baby chicks and they will get a more secure enclosure than our old coop. And a better coop/run to grow into.

 

[Es_In_Miami]

I’m th

im Thinking the rat snake population must be up everywhere because we have never had an issue seeing them close to our house and we have lots of wild birds who nest close to our house and in our carport also- house wrens to name one kind and we also have a huge tulip tree as well next to our house and backyard pool which houses many a nest. We have seen two this year and we may see one every five years or so. Odd.

It's seasonal. Peak mating season is late spring, hatching now. Most will naturally fall to predation.

 

[CreveChris]

So, I am not against killing things whatsoever. Snakes though, get a free pass. They are more important than most realize and the vast majority are non-venomous. If you would prefer rats and mice then get rid of the snakes. If you prefer disease then also get rid of the snake. The best suggestion I have read in the past 7 pages is hardware cloth. My entire 10’x10’ enclosure is lined with 1/4” hardware cloth. Any snakes small enough to get through those tiny holes aren’t eating eggs or quail.

This is so reassuring! I'm wrapping everything in 1/4" hardware cloth and hoping...

Just saw a black racer out the window brazenly slithery around the front gardens. He won't fit through the hardware cloth.

And I'm feeding my young chickens greens through a xylophone on the tractor door to enrich their lives but am also seeing their killer instinct activated as they go after the stems pulling the greens through quick as a flash.

They destroyed a moth that breached their boundary. Hopefully a small snake will be pecked into submission.