Video of Black King Snake Hunting Chicks and Mice

[centrarchid]

Why if it has caused no harm?

 

[CiceroXY]

But if you hadn't surprised and monitored it, it could have eaten eggs or chicks

 

[wvchics]

If you don't want to kill it you may want to see if there is someone who can relocate it, because it is just going to keep coming back. Eventually it will do harm. It'll eat eggs and even chickens small enough. If no one will come re home it you may want to take a drive and re home it somewhere else.

 

[biophiliac]

If you don't want to kill it you may want to see if there is someone who can relocate it, because it is just going to keep coming back. Eventually it will do harm. It'll eat eggs and even chickens small enough. If no one will come re home it you may want to take a drive and re home it somewhere else.

I'm betting @centrarchid is smarter than the snake

 

[wvchics]

I'm betting @centrarchid is smarter than the snake

I'm sure any person is smarter than a snake. Why keep taking the risk when the snake can live just fine somewhere else. Unless of course you have the time to sit all day every day outsmarting a snake. I spend a lot of time with my chickens, but I still don't have time to watch them every second of every day and night. I would rather just know I've done my job keeping them safe. However if you don't mind the constant battle of removing it keep it around and risk your flocks safety. I guess that's a personal decision. Good luck.

 

[centrarchid]

Time use your heads. Snake is active in barn area for about two hours every warm. and sunny day. As best I can tell this been going on since at least first time I encountered it.

 

[biophiliac]

Very valid point and you have expressed very well the view of most members I think. Another perspective is to accept a certain[small] risk in exchange for the fascinating opportunity to observe rarely seen behavior of another species. Sorry if my attempt at a joke came off poorly .

 

[wvchics]

I don't think anyone is offended. People deal with these things differently. If you're only monitoring a couple hours a day that may work for now, but what about when they reproduce and you end up with a snake nest somewhere on your property. Maybe I worry too much, but I know they help with rats and mice. I personally won't kill a black snake but I don't think I'd trust it hanging around my chickens either. Either way though it's a personal decision hope it doesn't get any of your chickens or eggs good luck

 

[centrarchid]

I bet most people have snakes that live on their property.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I normally leave the black snakes alone. In spring they emerge from my pumphouse and make their way to the field and creeks. This spring I did help 3 of the largest ones to move on...they got a ride in a bucket to the backside of my property (unharmed)

Either they will make their way back to hibernate in the pumphouse or I'll have more I'm sure. It's a bit creepy to see how many come out - in past years I've counted up to 11 come out, but they disperse when the weather gets hot.