Snakes

[Angelicisi]

Over 3 foot...I went to get my cam, by the time I got down the stairs the girls had stomped it :/ they were soooo mad and made a ruckus (why I looked in the 1st place)
Red, the red hen was the sweet head hen turned hit squad leader...she's the boss so if she attacks they all do. If the boss doesn't and chooses to run, they run too.

 

[Triple Willow]

Ratsnakes and kingsnakes are good snakes to have around. They eat everything tho, rats/mice/lizards/eggs/chicks, but are good pest control in general and non venomous.
Diamond markings with no rattle could be a water snake, many diff breeds, they're a heavy bodied breed down here that makes me nervous each time I have to ID one lol but NEVER assume a snake is harmless. Any snake, just to be on the safe side until you can get an ID. Don't have to kill them. We relocate all King snakes, water snakes and garters constantly, they come back often so need to go a fee miles away. Cottonmouths and Copperheads are usually put down if a rescue won't take them
I was losing eggs awhile back...finally saw a rat snake, so did my hens, they stomped and killed it but did not eat it.

I sent you a pm. Hope I can help you!

 

[Juliony12193]

I'm sorry but no snake or tarantula at my farms. the caretaker has strict order, kill, burn snake or tarantulas. I really don't like those animals.

 

[Triple Willow]

Now that's weird, I thought I quoted Chickenlvr4. Chickenlvr4 I sent you the pm. lol Sorry Angelicisi.

 

[Triple Willow]

Over 3 foot...I went to get my cam, by the time I got down the stairs the girls had stomped it :/ they were soooo mad and made a ruckus (why I looked in the 1st place)
Red, the red hen was the sweet head hen turned hit squad leader...she's the boss so if she attacks they all do. If the boss doesn't and chooses to run, they run too.

I like that, a chicken hit mob. LOL Is Red a RIR? I have some young Buckeyes that I hope will live up to their reputation and take care of some pests, hope that includes snakes!

 

[Angelicisi]

She's a mutt, red sexlink & ?
Got her in a trade as a youngin, she's bossy n my hubby really wants to eat her lol bit she's a daily layer of a large pretty brown egg

I like that, a chicken hit mob. LOL Is Red a RIR? I have some young Buckeyes that I hope will live up to their reputation and take care of some pests, hope that includes snakes!

 

[Triple Willow]

She's a mutt, red sexlink & ?
Got her in a trade as a youngin, she's bossy n my hubby really wants to eat her lol bit she's a daily layer of a large pretty brown egg

Ohhh no, don't let hubby eat her. She is definitely earning her keep! lol My boyfriend would probably like to eat all of mine. I believe he got his fill of chicken keeping as a kid. But he does still help me when I need him. He must really love me. LOL

 

[Fentress]

Speaking of snakes, do pit vipers like the cottonmouth moccassins and copperheads eat eggs? I assume they do, but I am hoping for some reason they don't. I have a coop that has a poorly desinged door through which you acccess the nest box, so when I reach into the box it is a bit of a blind reach, unless I get down real low.

Thanks,

Mark

 

[Triple Willow]

Speaking of snakes, do pit vipers like the cottonmouth moccassins and copperheads eat eggs? I assume they do, but I am hoping for some reason they don't. I have a coop that has a poorly desinged door through which you acccess the nest box, so when I reach into the box it is a bit of a blind reach, unless I get down real low.

Thanks,

Mark

I believe they do. Check out this thread.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/515899/best-way-ive-found-yet-to-deal-with-snake-problems

 

[Fentress]

Thanks, that was very interesting. The person who posted the thread said that copperheads do not eat eggs, but did not provide an explanation. And then this person below (who I copied) made the same comment. Have not had a snake problem yet, there is woods nearby, but the snake would need to cross a 100 feet or more of yard to get to the coop, which I also move occasionally.Thanks.


Yes, this is a really good way to catch snakes humanely (and safely). You don't need to bait them (notice that they caught copperheads, which do not eat eggs, so they were not attracted by the eggs). They tend to crawl along the sides of buildings, etc., so if you just put the traps along the buildings (and block the gap between the trap and the edge of the building), the snake will simply crawl up into the trap, and then can't find the exit. They will work their way around the edges trying to get out, and won't "think" to go up in the air to look for the hole. Researchers who study snakes make traps that are similar to this to catch their study animals. Sometimes you'll get small rodents and large spiders in there too.

She also said I should probably get some of these traps when my chickens start laying as I probably have snakes around anyway due to the horse feed and stuff; although if i catch a large spider, it's going straight to the chickens for disposal!!!