Snake killing young pullets

[bobertyork]

A couple weeks ago I found one of my 12 week old pullets had been killed by a snake. It was obvious that it was too big for the snake to swallow. The head and neck were covered in mucus. I did some reading and hoped the snake would go elsewhere for a meal. Today I found another young pullet fell victim. Is there any way to deter snakes? I haven’t seen it. I just hate to think that I need to keep my young birds in a brooder until they’re full grown. I’ve looked at automatic coop doors but they’re very expensive and I work odd hours and don’t want them locked up until noon. I’ve had chickens for over 30 years and never had this issue before. Thanks

 

[Pollo Blanco]

Have you looked at the Omelet automatic door?

Love mine

 

[bobertyork]

Have you looked at the Omelet automatic door?

Love mine

I have recently, they’re quite expensive. So I have to come up with another plan in the meantime

 

[Pollo Blanco]

Cheapest door I could find and the easiest to install also.


Recently added a wifi 'finger' to it so I can open or close it with my phone

 

[Lavender6]

A couple weeks ago I found one of my 12 week old pullets had been killed by a snake. It was obvious that it was too big for the snake to swallow. The head and neck were covered in mucus. I did some reading and hoped the snake would go elsewhere for a meal. Today I found another young pullet fell victim. Is there any way to deter snakes? I haven’t seen it. I just hate to think that I need to keep my young birds in a brooder until they’re full grown. I’ve looked at automatic coop doors but they’re very expensive and I work odd hours and don’t want them locked up until noon. I’ve had chickens for over 30 years and never had this issue before. Thanks

I just found out bird netting traps them and keeps them away from your chickens. I saw several pictures of the snakes they found in the netting. I am going to buy it tomorrow.

 

[McChooky]

Some people use fish minnow traps to trap the snakes .They can't get out of those or bird netting either one.I advise you to do a search on diy snake traps and watch a couple of videos so you will be successful. I hope you catch the culprit!

 

[Wolfie2]

May or may not help. My run was/is covered in 1x2 wire mesh. Started having rat snaqkes eating eggs. caught a couple of 'em in the act. Covered the 1x2 with chicken wire in hopes of keepin them out. Have found several over the years caught in the chicken wire. They can get their head thru but their body is too big and they got stuck in the wire. Easy to dispatch if not already dead. A snake small enough to get through the CW will probably not be large enough to do any harm to eggs or chicks (my opinion).