Video of Black King Snake Hunting Chicks and Mice

[FrankHomestead]

Why if it has caused no harm?

Well I can only assume the snake is interested in either your chickens or eggs, or both. otherwise why would he be stalking the coop? I respect nature and do my best to coexist with it, but if I feel something is threatening my animals I nip it in the bud. sounds to me like the snake is your friend lol nothing wrong with that just know the risks

 

[centrarchid]

mice

 

[FrankHomestead]

mice

That's true. I've also seen chickens tear apart some poor mice lol

 

[centrarchid]

The snakes are there first and foremost for the rodents. Yes, chickens eat them as well. So does the large American Bullfrog that takes dips in watering trough and Coopers Hawk that comes in and lays down not ten feet from chickens dust bathing. I have lost chicks and eggs to snakes, although not many.

 

[centrarchid]

I think the mouse population crashed. Snakes and American Bullfrog clearly consumed some. I think the chickens actually consumed more than the other predators combined. Over last few days I say a couple dead mice in the open. No longer seeing mice bounding around in the open. Tonight when policing up pullets for culling / sale I will look hard for fresh mice sign.

 

[wvchics]

Yeah if the mice are gone the snake will be eating something else soon

 

[centrarchid]

me

Yeah if the mice are gone the snake will be eating something else soon

I have always had snakes during the summer, always. Losses to snakes very light with only year where it was an issue. Snake causing trouble was a much larger Bull Snake that could consume 5 week old chicks. This snake is a Black Rat Snake and all hens are kept up in pens off ground out of reach at night. We have gone through several booms and busts with respect to rodents of interest to Black Rat Snakes which means more than a few years experience.

So you should make every effort to understand your chicken's biology and the environment that supports it and quit looking for reasons to say the sky is falling. Do something worthwhile like combat global warming, there is where you outlook would be beneficial.

 

[wvchics]

If you don't care I don't you are clearly okay with the situation or just want controversy idk, but it's your concern not mine. Good luck