Rattlesnakes

[want2know]

We have lived here in the hill country on 6 acres in Texas for 7 years and never have seen a rattlesnake until this year. Now we have one living in right next to the chicken coop. I have 5 chickens and the Orpington is broody right now and am a bit concerned that it may find its way in during the day to the nesting boxes. We have seen it right outside the coop door two nights in the last two weeks when we go down to lock up. Think it may be living close right outside the coop. Its about 4 feet long. I have read through the threads in this forum pertaining to rattlesnakes and some say kill, some say don't, move it. Thoughts? Opinions?

 

[Hanathehappyhen]

We have lived here in the hill country on 6 acres in Texas for 7 years and never have seen a rattlesnake until this year. Now we have one living in right next to the chicken coop. I have 5 chickens and the Orpington is broody right now and am a bit concerned that it may find its way in during the day to the nesting boxes. We have seen it right outside the coop door two nights in the last two weeks when we go down to lock up. Think it may be living close right outside the coop. Its about 4 feet long. I have read through the threads in this forum pertaining to rattlesnakes and some say kill, some say don't, move it. Thoughts? Opinions?

since its a big one I'd say don't kill it unless you have to. If you do kill it a pretty safe way is using long handle shears and cutting off the head. Is the fencing wide enough that it can squeeze through?