Keep a black snake?

[Futuregreenefarm]

Had a piece of land for several years that just had a shed and carport. Had a black snake always around and just left him since others said it was beneficial. We did build here and now live here and have gotten into chickens. I found this under the wooden bottom in my 2 young chickens' pin and nearly stepped on it. We are pretty sure it is a baby black snake but how can I keep them away from the chickens? And will I be regretting not getting rid of that black snake?

 

[mowin]

No matter how you think you're coop is predator proof, this snake will do it's best to prove you wrong.
Up to you to procede accordingly.

 

[SamLockwood]

I haven't ever lost adult birds to snakes. I've had them get into the coop and steal eggs, and they could easily eat small chicks as well. I've heard of them killing chickens & trying to swallow them but haven't seen that happen.

 

[Psychofeatherlover]

I let a black snake live because I always heard they were good to have to keep copperheads away. That is a lie. They do keep the rat population down but they are kinda "friends" if you will, with copperhead. The black snake I let stay around, killed a full grown muscovy hen while she was sitting on her last 2 eggs and tried to swallow her but couldn't. Her head and neck were wet. So now we take care of all black snakes immediately. Tried catch and release about a mile up the road, but then found out they have a strong honing since and will return. I love my flock and will do what I have to do to protect them. I hate to harm anything. I believe we were all put here to live together. But that includes my feathery babies. So bye bye snakes.

 

[saysfaa]

Keep it away from the eggs and birds with hardware cloth. I figure I need that to keep weasels away and raccoons from reaching in anyway.

I encourage snakes to stay around to keep the rodent populations down.