"Spanking" a snake?!!?

[wood&feathers]

Well dufus, then I'd be neck deep in mice and rats. Until we moved to the mountains I had never killed a snake. I walked around or over (doing wildlife surveys actually) countless copperheads and the occasional rattler and figured I was intruding in their home. It is also a lot of bother. I still don't harm them if they are down in the hollow. I do occasionally kill a copperhead if I find it right around our buildings.

I was hoping to keep a nice big black rat snake to eat rodents, and see if I could teach it to avoid my eggs. We have liked having such snakes around for years - long before getting chickens. I consider the jury to still be out on aversion training reptiles. How many humans learn anything from only one lesson?

If I decide to harvest a snake, I don't waste ammunition and endanger myself and others by blasting at something at point blank range. I keep a small spade handy, and if it is coiled I used the smooth handle end to gently stroke it and get it to uncoil and crawl away. Then when I whack it with the other end I don't damage the skin or meat. Copperhead skins look really nice on a wooden bow, especially on osage orange. I even pick up road killed ones (the chickens love that!) I think they are really beautiful animals, I just need to manage the situation.

 

[wood&feathers]

Another way to think about things for those who use a shotgun for this job - I wouldn't use a chainsaw to shave a little wood off a door jamb, why would I use 3" magnum 12 ga shells to kill a 2' snake? Thats like shooting a 75# deer with a Barrett .50!

 

[dufus]

actually,, i use CCI ,22 shotshells to ''train'' mine. hey,, don't knock it, as it works. they do not come back again..........in all truthfulness,, i skip the part about the bucket.

 

[RHRanch]

wood&feathers :

I consider the jury to still be out on aversion training reptiles. How many humans learn anything from only one lesson?

Good point, but I have been "relocating" snakes for over 20 years, and all I can tell you is that we have seen them less and less in our areas - the poisonous ones, that is. I leave the the non-poisonous snakes be, and I keep my chicks in a snake-proof pen, and the area of my henhouse is not a hospitable place for snakes - very clean and very open. They don't like that.​

 

[ChickInDelight]

I live peacefully with Rat Snakes in my home. I have yet to see them around the coop.

When we first moved here, I saw my first one as the 5 footer was sticking her nose through the screen on the porch. The funny part was that our old terrier, Holly, was also trying to nose through the screen. She was stepping all around and perhaps on this snake with a bulge in her belly.

All I had as a deterent was bug spray, so I sprayed the snake in the face, and she turned to leave. Then, folks with sticks and shovels showed up and eventually pushed her off the porch. She then entered the house through the basement instead of sunning herself on the grey stones.

Another time, I saw a 4 footer heading for the basement. I yelled, "Snake!!! Bring a camera." There must have been 5 of us gathered around this girl, snapping photos. The expert among us said that rat snakes are among the most aggressive. We just let her go on into the basement. I really, really, really hate mice and have never allowed them in my space.

I wonder if these giants don't keep the Copperheads under control.

At no time have I ever seen one of these huge rat snakes become aggressive.

 

[wood&feathers]

Yes, they do keep copperheads under control. Especially if you have a black kingsnake.

 

[Ole rooster]

The wife and I just got home from our friday night date, and on the bluebird house in the back was a young rat snake. I've two set of eggs to snakes out of that box. Well, I don't have a metal garbage can but I ran him on in the house. Then I got a stick and beat ont he house till I thought I was about the bust it open. I'ts sorta loose on the post I've got it on so it was shaking also. I finally stopped and open the door and pulled him out and that thing couldn't get away from me fast enough. That's the fastest I've ever seen a rat snake move. Don't know if it will work or not but the preliminary looks he didn't care at all for that. I'm will be getting a metal can with a top.

 

[eggdd]

Quote:
Good point, but I have been "relocating" snakes for over 20 years, and all I can tell you is that we have seen them less and less in our areas - the poisonous ones, that is. I leave the the non-poisonous snakes be, and I keep my chicks in a snake-proof pen, and the area of my henhouse is not a hospitable place for snakes - very clean and very open. They don't like that.

how do you snake proof?

 

[RHRanch]

Quote:
Good point, but I have been "relocating" snakes for over 20 years, and all I can tell you is that we have seen them less and less in our areas - the poisonous ones, that is. I leave the the non-poisonous snakes be, and I keep my chicks in a snake-proof pen, and the area of my henhouse is not a hospitable place for snakes - very clean and very open. They don't like that.

how do you snake proof?

Oh, just use a totally enclosed pen - hardware cloth is good. Fill all gaps with steel wool and insulation foam. I don't worry about the LF - they free range and when they see a snake they make a particular noise, which seems to mean "I see a scary thing on the ground!" and if I am home I go out and remove the snake before they or the geese give it a trouncing! lol

Also, keep your henhouse area really spartan - low cut grass, no shrubs/plants along fence or buildings, no piles of wood or junk. Snakes really hate being in open areas where hawks (one of thier primary predators) can see them.

 

[wood&feathers]

Snakes are no threat to my big girls, but I have a broody setting. Can't afford a hardware cloth run - I have welded wire on the run, and shut the flock up tight in coop at night. The broody box opens onto the run - I jammed a grill off a defunct heater in the doorway to keep the other hens out, but there is a gap at the top plenty big enough for snakes. I need to build a very tight door for that, and plug 4 holes on the floor of the box. I repurposed some plywood from my old pickup camper rig and the part I used for the floor had some thumb holes for lifting compartment lids. The holes ore nice when a waterer spills, not so good for predator proofing.

On the bright side, my dog woke us up barking when the broody freaked out. I am glad to hear she cares in this way. I know she has a special friendship with the boss hen, but that isn't who is brooding. I gave her lots of praise and a bite of pork.