Possible snake

[Kayenichol]

They usually shy away from things that they know they can’t consume. Some won’t shy away from eggs though. Snakes are always a nice predator to have around though as they are natural pest control. I let the black racers and garter snakes stay around my property. Venomous snakes are another story and I usually call a wrangler for them.

We have water moccasins, copperheads, king snakes and then a lot of rat snakes. Most of which live in the ditches. And our back ditch is a few steps from our shed

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

We have water moccasins, copperheads, king snakes and then a lot of rat snakes. Most of which live in the ditches. And our back ditch is a few steps from our shed

Ray snakes and king snakes are great to have around. Keep an eye on any more chicks you have though.

 

[Kayenichol]

thebrown to the right is our ditch

 

[imnukensc]

I doubt it was a snake. Sounds more along the lines of a dog to me---you know, the kind that like to squish a squeaky toy until the squeaky part is broken.

 

[Kayenichol]

I doubt it was a snake. Sounds more along the lines of a dog to me---you know, the kind that like to squish a squeaky toy until the squeaky part is broken.

But only 9 were missing, nothing was disturbed in our shed ( a dog would have had to knocked things over to get to them) and not one puncture wound on any of them

 

[Bonniebooboo]

I had a black snake get into a cage and try eating baby ducks that were to large for them. when I caught the snake it was on it's third duckling head first, down to the chest, suffocated it, spit it out and tried another, they were wet, but not prolapsed , probably due to not being able to swallow it all. Another had gotten into pen and had consumed some small chicks, it regurgitated the last 2 it had eaten to try to get away from me. still had a couple more further down that didn't come up. Needless to say, the snakes never had another meal. I am so sad for you and the babies.

 

[Kayenichol]

I had a black snake get into a cage and try eating baby ducks that were to large for them. when I caught the snake it was on it's third duckling head first, down to the chest, suffocated it, spit it out and tried another, they were wet, but not prolapsed , probably due to not being able to swallow it all. Another had gotten into pen and had consumed some small chicks, it regurgitated the last 2 it had eaten to try to get away from me. still had a couple more further down that didn't come up. Needless to say, the snakes never had another meal. I am so sad for you and the babies.

It’s just so horrible to think of those poor defenseless chicks like that. Is there something specific any of y’all do to prevent snakes from coming in? We’re about to build a big brooder (and gonna try our hardest to predator proof it) but is there any deterrents that y’all use?

 

[Fishkeeper]

A lid on the brooder (which you should have anyway, if they're anywhere but in your house, and probably even then) should keep them out. 1/2" mesh will prevent all but the very small snakes from getting in. Depending on what's in the area, I'd go with hardware cloth, and then a layer of mosquito mesh inside that to keep out bugs. If there's any way a raccoon could get in the building with them, you'll need some kind of locks. Raccoons can open latches. Snakes, however, can't open anything. If nothing but snakes can get in, a couple bricks per edge to weigh the lid down will probably do it. Bear in mind, though- if a big snake can get in, so can a rat or a weasel.