Husband wants to get a snake to keep the rats away

[jennmoore]

We are getting a lot of rats that are fat and happy bc of all the food we have out for our chickens and rabbits. We have 3 chickens and 2 flemish giant rabbits living together peacefully. We just got a "barn cat" to scare the rats away, but she is scared to death of the chickens. So my husband mentioned a rat snake. They are native to texas, but wasn't sure if they would eat the chickens or rabbits. Has anyone kept snakes around for this reason. I know the snake can eat the eggs. Would the snake scare the chickens so much that they wouldn't lat any???
Thanks!!!!

 

[wamtazlady]

My first thoughts on this are that a snake would not only eat eggs, it would eat chicks and baby rabbits. It might never get around to eating a rat since chicks, baby rabbits, and eggs would be easier to catch. Also, a snake eats and then may not eat again for weeks. How is that going to keep the rat population down?

I think I read about bait stations somewhere on here. It seemed it was some sort of box the rodents went into and died. These boxes were made so that chickens didn't get into them. Something like that would be a better solution than a snake.

 

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC. Glad you decided to join our flock. X2 on wamtzlady's post; while snakes will occasionally catch and eat a rat, they are not effective at controlling rat populations. You would do much better to keep some cats around the place. When we purchased our first chickens decades ago, there were loads of rats in our area. We had a tuxedo cat named Morty who would kill and leave 5 or 6 dead rats per day laying by our front door. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. Cheers.

 

[jennmoore]

Thanks for replying. We don't have any baby chicks or bunnies, so I don't have to worry about that. We have the bait out but they like the rabbit food so much more, they aren't eating the bait
I kind of agree with you on the snake only eating once a week or so. We were thinking just the presence of a snake would scare the rats away.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[Michael OShay]

Thanks for replying. We don't have any baby chicks or bunnies, so I don't have to worry about that. We have the bait out but they like the rabbit food so much more, they aren't eating the bait
I kind of agree with you on the snake only eating once a week or so. We were thinking just the presence of a snake would scare the rats away.

You're welcome. The rats will avoid the snake, but its presence won't keep them away.

 

[chikadoodles]

I'd say put th feed away so they can't get t it. that solves the rat problem. when chickens and rabbits eat there fill, put that away too. starving them out helps

 

[drumstick diva]

I agree with chickidoodles keep the food up. Can you borrow someone's Jack Russle terrier - they are truly rough on rats, and look at it as fun

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC - hope you find a solution to your rat issue.

All the best
CT