Snake..I found MOM or DAD. Hope no more..

[Country Living Farm]

found it under some stuff behind the shed where I just put up a grow out pen. I though i was missing chicks.

 

[kidcallous]

well I must say I was NOT hoping you were in Florida!! I HATE snakes, and especially BIG Ones like that!! What kind is it??

 

[Gonzo]

thats a big snake!

 

[ranchhand]

Harmless yellow rat snake. I have a whole family living here. Not my idea of fun, but we haven't seen a roach, rat or mouse in years.

They will eat chicks and eggs though - I have had to invest heavily in hardware cloth!

 

[Country Living Farm]

Yep, big rat snake!!! He/She was relocated sevreal miles away. Like I said, my chicks were looking less and less I just though it was me no really less and less. O, it did have a big buldge about half way down!!!

 

[NateinFL]

They are so bad here in FL, especially the yellow rat snakes, they have a taste for birds! Can't tell you how many baby chickens, eggs, baby finches I've lost. They'll squeeze into the tightest of spots. Even found one in my bluebird nest 6ft up on the telephone pole...they're not welcome here. Red rat snakes I've never had problems with even though I've seen them, always been the yellow.

 

[Country Living Farm]

It was about 6 1/2 to 7 foot long

 

[dawg53]

WOW! 6.5-7 foot long....that IS big!!! I killed one here 2 years ago just over 5 feet long trying to constrict my full grown Buff Orpington hen. We grow em big down here in the south lol!

 

[RM44]

Wow! That's a big snake. It doesn't look like you're holding the head very tightly. Did it settle down and allow you to hold it without the "clamp of death" around it's neck? I guess I just don't like to get bitten, but I haven't caught one even half that size that would allow me to hold it in such a relaxed way.

I'm glad you didn't kill it, but sorry it was eating your chicks. It's an interesting arrangement - nature and chickens; huh?