Rat snake killed a hen

[Usedtowanna]

This one is a first for us. It's always something and I'm getting weary of fighting so hard to keep our animals AND garden thriving and well. Never lost a chicken to a snake before.

 

[CindyinSD]

So sorry to hear that.

 

[AltonaAcres]

 

[Sequel]

Oh no! That’s terrible! I’m so sorry!

 

[hayley3]

This one is a first for us. It's always something and I'm getting weary of fighting so hard to keep our animals AND garden thriving and well. Never lost a chicken to a snake before.

How did the snake kill the chicken? Did you catch it in the act?

 

[Usedtowanna]

Yes, my 14yo saw it. It strangled the poor thing and had it's head in it's mouth

 

[Franklinridgefarms]

Sorry for your loss, I can sympathize, we have lost a couple to them too as well as to other predators over the years too. It is a struggle to keep livestock and gardens for sure. There is no shortage of problems. I am probably in the minority of folks that view those kinds of snakes as problematic rather than beneficial.

 

[hayley3]

Yes, my 14yo saw it. It strangled the poor thing and had it's head in it's mouth

That is very unusual. I've seen a snake slither among my chickens and never touch them.
So how old was your hen, if you don't mind me asking. The reason I'm asking is to know how big the chicken was and the circumstances. Were they locked in a run?
Mine are 3 months old and just now beginning to get big and i would be shocked if a snake could catch one. Normally my chickens bother the snake. I never let my smaller chickens outside until they are bigger than snake food. I had 6ft long rat snakes that could swallow 6 eggs at a time.
And very sorry about your chicken.

 

[Usedtowanna]

The snake actually killed 2 chickens. The first one being this huge white one. She was heavy and couldn't walk well. They are 3 months old. Not to be too disturbing (the whole situation is unpleasant), but both chicken's heads were wet, shiny, and matted down from the snake's attempt to eat.

 

[hayley3]

Were they locked in the coop? Was it at nighttime? I can't remember what time of day it was when I caught the snake on the roost.
And yes I've heard of chicks that were wet and matted from the snake trying to eat the bird...what a terrible way to die.
Fortunately I now have a concrete floor, so no snakes..although now I am fighting the mice constantly in summer.