Please help my confusion!

[AshlyPashlee]

I was told by one person that chickens help keep snakes AWAY... But it was my understanding that chickens practically invite them in for a drink...

Anywho, can you please help clarify what they do when it comes to predators... Also, what can I do to help keep them away?

To add... I live next to a house with like 27 cats... what CAN I do to make sure any and all pests aren't going to hurt my babies once I have them in their coop outside. Also, any pre coop building threat devices to scare of those pesky predators, would be appreciated!

 

[Kiki]

Chickens do not keep snakes away.

Hardware cloth EVERYTHING...to keep snakes out.

 

[sourland]

Chickens do not keep snakes away.

Hardware cloth EVERYTHING...to keep snakes out.

And electric fencing around their coop and covered run.

 

[SueT]

Chickens do eat small snakes, I've witnessed it. But large snakes eat eggs and chicks. Make sure you have a predator proof coop. Cats may go after small chickens.

 

[Kiki]

The cats might actually be a good thing...help keep mice and rats away.

 

[Greene55]

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snakes may be attracted by eggs or even birds but chickens are pretty Savage once they are adults a snake would get destroyed

 

[Greene55]

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ChickenCoopOutlet Large Metal 10x10 ft Chicken Coop Backyard ...
View attachment 1592881

snakes may be attracted by eggs or even birds but chickens are pretty Savage once they are adults a snake would get destroyed

a big dog would keep the cats away,, the cage/pen will help

 

[Greene55]

one cat is no match for a flock of adult chickens

 

[CanadaEh]

Also, any pre coop building threat devices to scare of those pesky predators, would be appreciated!

normally you have coop + run/pen or coop + run/pen + freerange or coop + freerange.

Coop is your fort knox where you would lock your babies overnight. Hardware cloth on any windows/openings, no holes exceeding 1/2". The assumption is that most predators (not snakes) are nocturnal, extra bold at night, also would have hours to work their way through because nobody is watching.

Run/pen is daytime compromise between absolutely secure coop and free ranging. Ours is hardware cloth for 2 bottom feet+skirt (small predators) put over 5' chainlink fence (dog protection) and 4 top feet made of chicken wire (prevents chickens from flying out). Fishing line over the top (seagulls/hawks/eagles/vultures). Not truly secure as any coon/mink/cat could climb over, but they have not tried during day time so far. Always closing the chickens in the coop for the night. We would need to run electric wire along the bottom of the fence to make it truly secure. If you have money, enclosing everything including top in hardware cloth would also work.

Have not tried free ranging.

Best of luck.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

While it is true that chickens will routinely pick and eat small snakes, they are not in any way a deterrent to the presence of snakes. The presence of chicken feed tends to draw small rodents small rodents tend to draw snakes. So yes in a way the presence of chickens can actually attract snakes. Snakes are also attracted to the ready supply of eggs and small birds (chicks, bantams, etc) as dining options.)
As noted above, the best practice is to exclude snakes from entering the coop and/or run by employing mesh that is too small for them to pass through. Also note that snakes are actually quite adept at climbing surfaces that may surprise you so a covered area is your best bet at excluding the most number of predators effectively.