Lost a chicken last night.

[nancykay2kay]

The rat snake I saw a couple of days ago got into the coop last night and killed a chicken. Oh course, it was the favorite one. What is the best way to deter snakes? I bought Liquid Fence Snack Repellent but I have not opened it yet. The coop is rather close to the house and I still need to live here. Has anyone ever used it? I have spent an hour on the coop trying to make sure there are no holes but it seems hopeless. I am a first time chicken owner and I did not count on this. I put bird netting over the run but it seems I didn't think as much of the ground predators. I can close them up entirely in the top of the coop but it is getting a little warm in Texas at night.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

1/2 inch hardware cloth maybe? Can you post a pic of your coop?

 

[rosemarythyme]

I wouldn't buy into any sort of miracle deterrent. Best bet is to secure your coop completely - any crevice or hole larger than 1/2" should be covered up. A photo would help tremendously.

 

[Folly's place]

Chickens are on everyone's menu, and they are helpless at night.
A safe coop means no openings larger than 1/2" diameter anywhere, and child-proof latches (s0 raccoon proof), and a dig-proof foundation.
Many of us have learned the hard way that safety, especially night time safety, is serious business. It's not hopeless, but does take real effort.
Repellents, flashing lights, and radio noise, aren't going to protect your birds. Only a secure coop, and hopefully run, will do.
Mary

 

[llombardo]

I have saw snakes climb up and over a fence, maybe put hardware cloth over the netting. If the netting is working for other predators I might even consider 1/4 in hardware cloth so it's even smaller holes.

 

[nancykay2kay]

I have saw snakes climb up and over a fence, maybe put hardware cloth over the netting. If the netting is working for other predators I might even consider 1/4 in hardware cloth so it's even smaller holes.

The coop does have 1/4 inch hardware cloth . . . I have plugged everything I can find. I must have missed something because I lost another chicken last night. I got a snake but he must have a friend. There was a tiny hole where the poop tray slids out and I have put a clothespin in it with foam. I can't imagine that anything can get inside that would be big enough to kill a 14 week chicken. I give up. I have arranged for the last two to be picked up by a friend tomorrow night if I can keep them alive until them.

 

[happyfrenchman]

I am sorry. Rat snakes will kill a pullet and they are unable to eat it.... I would kill that snake. I got tired of being nice My birds are on no ones menu. The snakes always stay very close and as you have found, they are elusive. I hope you are not giving up the birds entirely. Keep hunting them. If you cannot kill them, take them for a really long ride. they generally do not harm older birds although I suppose they could.

 

[nancykay2kay]

I am sorry. Rat snakes will kill a pullet and they are unable to eat it.... I would kill that snake. I got tired of being nice My birds are on no ones menu. The snakes always stay very close and as you have found, they are elusive. I hope you are not giving up the birds entirely. Keep hunting them. If you cannot kill them, take them for a really long ride. they generally do not harm older birds although I suppose they could.

I just found a farm store near me that has ceramic eggs. I also think I found the hole. It was at the peak of the roof where it joins. I don't think I can continue to do this. Between the snakes, lice, mites and chiggers . . it just isn't worth it. I hate that I couldn't keep them safe.

 

[llombardo]

I just found a farm store near me that has ceramic eggs. I also think I found the hole. It was at the peak of the roof where it joins. I don't think I can continue to do this. Between the snakes, lice, mites and chiggers . . it just isn't worth it. I hate that I couldn't keep them safe.

I say a silent prayer every night for mine. No joke.

 

[llombardo]

I have been leaving my back door open so the dogs can go in and out all night. That has been working well. They hear everything. Now I have robins that are out of the best and all over the yard. I have to figure out what to do with them so I can let the dogs out.