Rat snake

[Hilltop Flock]

I’ve seen this guy slithering around the yard a couple of times. It’s was raining last night and I think it sought out the heat lamp. This is on top of a wood & wire cloth brooder which holds (4) 3.5 week old chicks. The chicks were acting normally when I came in. I have been moving them outside to a small sectioned off run with the other chickens during the day. I have chicken wire as the separating fence between them and the big chicks.

I believe this is a rat snake. How old/big would a chick need to be off this guys prey radar?

 

[Chickeroonie keeper]

Wow! From what I know, snakes can eat the equivalent of their own body mass if that helps. So those little peepers would have to be pretty big! I would just kill the snake, as it seems as though it would have killed your chicks had a hole in the brooder been present

 

[Hilltop Flock]

Wow! From what I know, snakes can eat the equivalent of their own body mass if that helps. So those little peepers would have to be pretty big! I would just kill the snake, as it seems as though it would have killed your chicks had a hole in the brooder been present

That makes sense. It probably would have, you’re right.

Hmmm, I did let it go. I am kind of fond of snecks—an old roommate had several snake habs. I’ve seen it basking in the sun before, so we shall meet again, I’m sure.

 

[3KillerBs]

Wow! From what I know, snakes can eat the equivalent of their own body mass if that helps. So those little peepers would have to be pretty big! I would just kill the snake, as it seems as though it would have killed your chicks had a hole in the brooder been present

I would relocate the snake and tighten up the coop myself.

Black rat snakes are valuable pest deterrents and I'd expect to have more trouble with rats, mice, etc. than with a snake on the property as long as I did my job closing cracks with hardware cloth.

 

[Hilltop Flock]

I would relocate the snake and tighten up the coop myself.

Black rat snakes are valuable pest deterrents and I'd expect to have more trouble with rats, mice, etc. than with a snake on the property as long as I did my job closing cracks with hardware cloth.

Yes, I’ve heard that having a rat snake around is good. I’ve heard they can even take a copperhead, which I have in the area. This is in a utility barn with no other animals, but they are secured in hwc!

 

[3KillerBs]

Yes, I’ve heard that having a rat snake around is good. I’ve heard they can even take a copperhead, which I have in the area. This is in a utility barn with no other animals, but they are secured in hwc!

I'm always glad to see a rat snake in my yard.

I've heard the same thing about them keeping copperheads away.

 

[Hilltop Flock]

@3KillerBs
Do you think that being outside during the day with adult hens and a rooster will be ok? The chicks have a chicken wire run with a small wooden coop inside about a 2000 sq ft fenced chicken run. I have never seen the snake in the chicken yard.

 

[3KillerBs]

@3KillerBs
Do you think that being outside during the day with adult hens and a rooster will be ok? The chicks have a chicken wire run with a small wooden coop inside about a 2000 sq ft fenced chicken run. I have never seen the snake in the chicken yard.

There's no saying for sure.

If you've got 1/2 hardware cloth and an anti-dig apron it would seem unlikely, but I'd inspect the perimeter VERY carefully for gaps.