Snake behavior

[poultry girl]

I have a hen with about 15 chicks in my green house to keep them safe from the cats. One night around 9pm I heard the chicks crying and found that the Mama hen was being strangled by a chicken snake wrapped around her neck. I managed to unwind him and the hen survived but my question is has anyone else ever had a chicken snake try to kill a full grown chicken? Is this normal?

 

[Chicken Heel]

It is rare but can happen. I am more surprised that it didn't go for the chicks but it is possible the mother hen got attacked for trying to protect them from the snake.

 

[Cribbs74]

I had to look up Chicken Snake. It must be slang or a regional term. The term Chicken Snake can be applied to either a corn or rat snake If anyone cares...Anyway, either of those species will wrap and constrict if threatened. My best guess is it went after the chicks and Mom stepped in and the snake went into defense mode. Sounds like Mom did a good job. Hope you released the snake!