snake problems...

[stephandhens]

We've had seven chickens since April of 2016. One Orust rooster and six different breeds of hens. We had a white oak snake last summer and tried to relocate him, but he came back. Finally had to kill him. Felt bad. One showed up yesterday, and now our hens are layers and our rooster mature. Will "Attila", the rooster, run him off? We're having trouble catching the snake in the coop. We were going to catch the snake last evening after work, but he wasn't in the coop. We now know that we need to take the snake several miles away.

 

[pennyJo1960]

I am very sorry of the snake issue they can steal eggs and chicks
are you adverse to killing it? often driving them off is not quite enough

 

[chickengeorgeto]

I am suspicious that you are posting from Florida. A major Florida University did some research on the Invasive pythons that Florida is famous for and the university discovered that the pythons return to their former homes from over 100 statute miles. Good luck.

 

[Sara Ranch]

To answer your question about your roo protecting the girls and the eggs - MAYBE.

I am dealing with a snake problem right now. I caught and relocated one snake. I know he had friends, but I haven't been able to see or to catch the friends. I have no idea where their nest is. I've gone from 26-27 eggs a day down to 4-5. And that's checking the nests every 10-15 minutes and hanging around when I see a hen in the nesting box.

When my second rooster is in the "house" (a large building that the flock sleeps in and has the nesting boxes), the snake(s) appear to leave the eggs alone. I have seen my roo guarding one nesting box. I've seen the snake (this was how I caught him) slithering along the wall, then he stopped when he came level with my roo. (My first rooster with this group is a total selfish guy and would never think to stay and guard the hens while laying.)

The snakes have NOT gone after my chickens. I do a head count every night, on every flock. I do a head count in the morning every morning, except for my largest flock. I walk the run or visually check the run before I let my guys out. Those that totally free range all day, I check on periodically.

I think I know where the snakes are getting into the building. It's a large building and I can't stop them. (Design flaw with the metal roof.) Since it's not practical for me to snake proof the building, I have another building coming to relocate this flock too.

The chicken run is open. I have no intentions of closing it up. I do the practical things to deter snakes in my area. No food/no water in the "house", grass cut short, lots of activity on the property, things moved frequently (like every few days), etc. I have read/heard that moth balls discourage snakes & I have heard that moth balls are not good for chickens. Something I need to research more.

With the safety of your chickens - they are probably ok since they are grown up now. Same with the rooster.

Will you post pictures of your coop and your run?