Snake in the coop ?

[echochick]

I had just gotten 10 new (7wk. old) golden buff hens and everything was fine until 3 days ago when I went in to feed them in the am and found 3 dead chicks.
They had no marks on them, but all of them had the same look. All the the chicks necks were sort of elongated and wet or slimy looking. Nothing else looked disturbed. no tracks were found anywhere around or inside of the coop.
My husband swears it had to be a coon or opposum. I think It was a small snake and it could not eat the whole bird so it regurgitated each one.
Then the following night another one was killed the same way...
Anyone have any other ideas as to what it might have been ?
I have since relocated them to a friends home until we figure it out.
I couldn't stand burying a bird every day. I was down to 6. Please help

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! So sorry about your chicks You might want to check out / post in the Predator forum for help (where you are / what snakes might be in your area etc?) https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/13/predators-and-pests it does sound like it may be a snake, hope you are able to figure out what it is and to deal with it.

 

[drumstick diva]

How horrible. I think if a snake couldn't swallow them their heads should have been wet and slimy also. I think it would be best if you posted on the Predator thread.

I can't imagine what would have gotten them wet but, not eaten part of them. You might consider setting up a game cam, even though the chicks are gone the predator doesn't know that.

 

[Cynthia12]

Found this article on snakes and chicks...good luck!!

http://www.mypetchicken.com/backyar...need-to-know-about-snakes-if-I-keep-H173.aspx

 

[sunflour]

Hi and Welcome to BYC.

So sorry about your losses and mystery. Most predators eat at least part of chickens. 7 week old chicks are a little large to think of snakes. Sounds like a dog, they play, shake and usually don't eat them. Could a dog have had access to them?

Please do post under predators to get more opinions.

If you have or have access to a game camera, then try drumstick divas advice. If you don't, consider circling the coop with flour or sand on the ground to try to catch evidence of foot prints and entry areas.

Wishing you success in the dilemma and getting your flock back home and keeping them safe.

 

[silkiecuddles]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

In my experience, Coons typically behead their prey, possums suck the blood, foxes take it and rarely leave any track, rats/mice either leave bits of the body or nothing at all, and dogs (in my experience) just kill for fun. I've only had snakes take eggs.

I Hope you find the predator, whatever it is!

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!