veebeebee
In the Brooder
I wanted to share this story about a huge yellow rat snake that killed 2 of my pullets last week so others are informed and aware that this could happen...as I had zero clue a rat snake would strangle my babies!
About 4 weeks ago I found a large 5+Ft yellow rat snake in my coop. There were 2 eggs in the nesting box so luckily I caught it before it got them. I pulled the snake out and put it in our shed which has rats and mice so it would eat THEM and not my eggs. Did not see it again and was not missing any eggs.
Last week Wednesday, I just intergrated my 11 week old brahma pullets (4) with my other 2 chickens. There was (still is) tension and one was bullying the babies constantly. I figured it is chicken life and they are asserting their pecking order.
Thursday morning I checked the coop and found 1 pullet dead in the bottom run! I freaked!! She was in the center of the run (8x10) just below their coop door. So I knew it couldnt be a predator from outside like a raccoon or fox. There was no visible injuries at all. Her eyes were open and neck out-stretched. Weird thing was her head and neck were slimey and wet looking with what seems like a little white goo on her. The rest of her body was dry.
First thing I thought was my bully chicken killed her for sure! Somehow spooked her and bullied her to death. I chalked the wet head up to morning dew. I thought about the possibility of a snake but quickly told myself “no way, we don’t have giant constrictors in Charleston SC!!”
I kicked the bully out of the coop that day and let her free range. That night I put her in the shed so she would be safe from the foxes and raccoons that frequent the yard.
At 3am on Friday morning I checked the coop (I’m obsessed) ...another pullet DEAD! I freaked out! Wtff?!!
I Pulled her body out and noticed IMMEDIATELY the same exact signs...wet, slimey head and neck, white goo, eyes open, no visible injuries. The bully chicken IS IN THE SHED! It’s not her!!!
I come inside and starting searching this site for answers. I found others have posted about the slimey, wet head and neck etc. I read posts for hours learning it most likely was a snake! A RAT SNAKE!
That morning, my husband and I fortified the coop. Any gap was covered by 1/4” hardware cloth, chicken wire around coop was covered with it too. Put spray foam and window foam seals in gaps around doors. I mean it’s legit secure I believe!
I had read on a forum once a snake finds a food source it will continue to come back. The snake will come at dusk when they go to roost. The chickens fall into their trance like slumber and the snake will select one, strangle it, and try to swallow it head first. Depending on snake vs chicken size difference, It will most likely not be able to get past the chickens shoulders causing it to regurgitate the body. But the snake will not learn it cannot eat “that” particular prey and will try and try again.
SO I WAITED...WATCHING THE COOP LIKE A HAWK...low and behold!!! Guess who comes out from under the shed at 9pm. Barely any light out but I could see it thanks the my solar spotlight on the coop! JUST LIKE PEOPLE SAID...it
Came back like clockwork. Trying on the 3rd night to murder another chicken! It couldn’t get in but it was trying! It was going through the chicken wire and small gap in door. It was as round as one of those mini coke cans. The hole was less than an inch!
Well...the snake is no longer around and so far...no more deaths! I love animals...I understand they need to survive and it’s instinct. I don’t blame the snake 100%...I blame myself for not being aware and informed.
IF YOU HAVE RAT SNAKES...They don’t just try to eat eggs and chicks. They may try to eat larger pray. I never have ever had this problem in the 5 years Ive had chickens. But every year I learn more about keeping backyard chickens and thank this website and all the other chicken people for their info and knowledge!!
Keep your babies safe and hope at least one person learns from my experience and doesn’t lose any of thier flock!
Take care V
About 4 weeks ago I found a large 5+Ft yellow rat snake in my coop. There were 2 eggs in the nesting box so luckily I caught it before it got them. I pulled the snake out and put it in our shed which has rats and mice so it would eat THEM and not my eggs. Did not see it again and was not missing any eggs.
Last week Wednesday, I just intergrated my 11 week old brahma pullets (4) with my other 2 chickens. There was (still is) tension and one was bullying the babies constantly. I figured it is chicken life and they are asserting their pecking order.
Thursday morning I checked the coop and found 1 pullet dead in the bottom run! I freaked!! She was in the center of the run (8x10) just below their coop door. So I knew it couldnt be a predator from outside like a raccoon or fox. There was no visible injuries at all. Her eyes were open and neck out-stretched. Weird thing was her head and neck were slimey and wet looking with what seems like a little white goo on her. The rest of her body was dry.
First thing I thought was my bully chicken killed her for sure! Somehow spooked her and bullied her to death. I chalked the wet head up to morning dew. I thought about the possibility of a snake but quickly told myself “no way, we don’t have giant constrictors in Charleston SC!!”
I kicked the bully out of the coop that day and let her free range. That night I put her in the shed so she would be safe from the foxes and raccoons that frequent the yard.
At 3am on Friday morning I checked the coop (I’m obsessed) ...another pullet DEAD! I freaked out! Wtff?!!
I Pulled her body out and noticed IMMEDIATELY the same exact signs...wet, slimey head and neck, white goo, eyes open, no visible injuries. The bully chicken IS IN THE SHED! It’s not her!!!
I come inside and starting searching this site for answers. I found others have posted about the slimey, wet head and neck etc. I read posts for hours learning it most likely was a snake! A RAT SNAKE!
That morning, my husband and I fortified the coop. Any gap was covered by 1/4” hardware cloth, chicken wire around coop was covered with it too. Put spray foam and window foam seals in gaps around doors. I mean it’s legit secure I believe!
I had read on a forum once a snake finds a food source it will continue to come back. The snake will come at dusk when they go to roost. The chickens fall into their trance like slumber and the snake will select one, strangle it, and try to swallow it head first. Depending on snake vs chicken size difference, It will most likely not be able to get past the chickens shoulders causing it to regurgitate the body. But the snake will not learn it cannot eat “that” particular prey and will try and try again.
SO I WAITED...WATCHING THE COOP LIKE A HAWK...low and behold!!! Guess who comes out from under the shed at 9pm. Barely any light out but I could see it thanks the my solar spotlight on the coop! JUST LIKE PEOPLE SAID...it
Came back like clockwork. Trying on the 3rd night to murder another chicken! It couldn’t get in but it was trying! It was going through the chicken wire and small gap in door. It was as round as one of those mini coke cans. The hole was less than an inch!
Well...the snake is no longer around and so far...no more deaths! I love animals...I understand they need to survive and it’s instinct. I don’t blame the snake 100%...I blame myself for not being aware and informed.
IF YOU HAVE RAT SNAKES...They don’t just try to eat eggs and chicks. They may try to eat larger pray. I never have ever had this problem in the 5 years Ive had chickens. But every year I learn more about keeping backyard chickens and thank this website and all the other chicken people for their info and knowledge!!
Keep your babies safe and hope at least one person learns from my experience and doesn’t lose any of thier flock!
Take care V
