Something Killing my chickens!

[billdflys]

I have been losing 3 month old chicks at the rate of one every other day or so. I suspicion a black rat snake but I can't find him or flush him out.
The chickens are found dead on the floor of the coop in the morning with the head and neck coated in wetness that appears to be saliva. They are only wet up to the shoulders and are dry and unharmed on the rest of their bodies. I suspect a snake is killing them by smothering but can't swallow them so is giving up.
I have used antibiotic to treat the water and as long as the chicks are on antibiotic I don't lose any. But as soon as the antibiotic runs out I start loosing them again. Usually 2-3 days after.
Any help or ideas greatly appreciated. More pictures are available if it helps solve the mystery.

 

[Leslieb118]

That definitely looks like to me that something tried to swallow it. I'd look for any access that a snake might have to your coop and cover it. Hardware cloth is the best thing. I'm not sure what you have now, but it's best to predator proof your coop and run.

 

[Attila the Hen]

I am so sorry about your chickens. I had a snake eat one of my 4 wk old chicks last week but at least I caught it in the coop before it escaped. Now I know it is gone.
In response I have bought hardware cloth even though I think the snake got under the door. The snake doesn't seem to bother my adults who are about 7 lbs each. It was a 6 footer and only went after the small ones and I think the eggs. I can't really imagine it eating a full grown bird. Anyway, hardware cloth everywhere including where the roof meets the sides is the solution. Snakes can climb.
Once I have this up it means the other chickens can stay out in the larger coop at night because it should also deter other predators. I also have dogs for protection but not sure they would chase a snake away. The snake was silent and quick.
Again so sorry

 

[mstricer]

Ditto on the snake. They only release if interrupted, I do believe or it could be a young snake trying to eat something bigger. I've shows where the snake tried eating something too big and they exploded Maybe it is hiding really good in your coop. Hope you find it. Coward probably doesn't come out during the day, because its afraid of the chickens.

 

[dawg53]

I have been losing 3 month old chicks at the rate of one every other day or so. I suspicion a black rat snake but I can't find him or flush him out.
The chickens are found dead on the floor of the coop in the morning with the head and neck coated in wetness that appears to be saliva. They are only wet up to the shoulders and are dry and unharmed on the rest of their bodies. I suspect a snake is killing them by smothering but can't swallow them so is giving up.
I have used antibiotic to treat the water and as long as the chicks are on antibiotic I don't lose any. But as soon as the antibiotic runs out I start loosing them again. Usually 2-3 days after.
Any help or ideas greatly appreciated. More pictures are available if it helps solve the mystery.

You are correct, a snake is the culprit. I've had it happen to quite a few pullets and cockerals. You're going to have catch and dispatch the snake as you see fit.
Why are you giving your chicks antibiotics? Antibiotics arnt a snake deterent. I dont recommend giving chicks/chickens antibiotics unless it's an absolute necessary last resort for an injury or disease... and most diseases, I'd cull anyway.

 

[mstricer]

I have been losing 3 month old chicks at the rate of one every other day or so. I suspicion a black rat snake but I can't find him or flush him out.
The chickens are found dead on the floor of the coop in the morning with the head and neck coated in wetness that appears to be saliva. They are only wet up to the shoulders and are dry and unharmed on the rest of their bodies. I suspect a snake is killing them by smothering but can't swallow them so is giving up.
I have used antibiotic to treat the water and as long as the chicks are on antibiotic I don't lose any.  But as soon as the antibiotic runs out I start loosing them again.  Usually 2-3 days after.
Any help or ideas greatly appreciated. More pictures are available if it helps solve the mystery.

You are correct, a snake is the culprit. I've had it happen to quite a few pullets and cockerals. You're going to have catch and dispatch the snake as you see fit.
Why are you giving your chicks antibiotics?  Antibiotics arnt a snake deterent.  I dont recommend giving chicks/chickens antibiotics unless it's an absolute necessary last resort for an injury or disease... and most diseases, I'd cull anyway.

I agree about antibiotics, if you want you can give nutra- drench or save a chick. It should help perk it up

 

[billdflys]

The reason for the antibiotic is the first few had an excessive amount of fluid around their beaks. I wasn't sure it was a snake and thought it could be a respiratory disease but that didn't make sense with the neck entirely drenched.
I noticed that after giving the antibiotic the problem quit. So I wasn't sure. Hence the question for this group.
I have never seen a snake skin or any evidence of a snake. In the early spring I caught one and put him in a bucket to transport him but the bucket tipped over and I couldn't get the snake catcher before he got away. Next one I intend to kill but don't like to as they are great mice & rat control if they just leave the eggs and chickens alone.

 

[Leslieb118]

Your best bet still is hardware cloth over EVERY opening. Not chicken wire, but hardware cloth. I had a "pet" rat snake for 2 years and it on occasion would regurgitate it's food, typically a mouse. The appearance was quite similar to what you're experiencing with your chickens. I'd look in every nook and cranny for the snake on the inside just to make sure when you reinforce any openings in the coop/run, that you don't lock the snake inside. Be careful..rat snakes aren't poisonous..they're constrictors..but there are plenty of poisonous ones out there! Good luck!

 

[JoePa]

The reason for the antibiotic is the first few had an excessive amount of fluid around their beaks. I wasn't sure it was a snake and thought it could be a respiratory disease but that didn't make sense with the neck entirely drenched.
I noticed that after giving the antibiotic the problem quit. So I wasn't sure. Hence the question for this group.
I have never seen a snake skin or any evidence of a snake. In the early spring I caught one and put him in a bucket to transport him but the bucket tipped over and I couldn't get the snake catcher before he got away. Next one I intend to kill but don't like to as they are great mice & rat control if they just leave the eggs and chickens alone.

I had a large black snake hanging around the yard and thought that I'd let it go because they eat mice - well - there was a robbins nest in one of the bushes on the side of my house - it had two chicks in the nest - the other day I was working in the yard and heard this commotion around the bush - the adult robbins were flying all around the bush - I go over and take a look - there's the black snake in the nest - it ate the two chicks - I grabbed the tail and yanked the snake out of the bush and stomped on it - so yes they do eat mice but they eat birds too -

 

[ssumpter]

its a snake for sure.... place moth balls around the coop...it deters snakes...also place some golf balls in the coop...snakes love eggs and will eat the golf balls also...cant digest the golf balls and it will eventually kill the snake....