Snakes and decrease in egg production?

[HenHouse10C]

Just this past Saturday I discovered our resident black racer was just outside the coop, on the end where the nests are. He's not a big snake, but I'm sure he could swallow some bantam eggs given the chance. I'm sure my birds saw him. The nests are 4ft off the ground and this snake is maybe 3ft long, so I doubt he was able to get in the nests.

Well, ever since Saturday (4 days now), I've only gotten 1 egg a day, where before I was getting 6 a day. No eggs from my reliable girls! Is it possible they sensed the danger and quit laying for a while? None are molting. I do have a broody but she's in a separate nest so she can't steal eggs, and none of hers are missing. Very strange.

 

[cavemanrich]

Florida has no shortage of snakes. Maybe there are others that got the vibes of the egg supply and are enjoying your breakfast supplies.

 

[123RedBeard]

Racer's can climb ...

Snake can eat rather large objects too!

Here is a rattler that measured 42" without its head and 13 rattles ... Eating a rabbit!

 

[HenHouse10C]

This is the snake. Those are 12"x12" brick pavers there for size reference. Think he could eat an egg?

 

[cavemanrich]

A bantams egg, maybe, but there could be others, larger and different species. ???

 

[123RedBeard]

Ah, that's a little one ... Ours are red or blue, and are about four feet long ... Maybe it has a mommy or daddy?

 

[Jesusfreak101]

I know some hens wont lay with snakes mear their nest (mother in laws wouldnt lay same with my friends) boths had sankes eating eggs through so the girls stopped laying it took a while after they got rid of the snake for the hens to to start laying after the stress