Warning graphic photo - RIP 2 keets

[Sydney65]

I' m so sorry, Bennie! That would crush me. Looked for ideas, some better than others -https://countrypests.com/how-to-keep-snakes-away-from-chickens-eggs-and-coops/

 

[BennieAnTheJets]

So it is as I thought - talked to VA Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and their Wildlife Conflict Hotline, and it is illegal to injure or kill snakes in VA unless they are a threat to a person or property, property including livestock. If they are a direct threat, you do have the legal right to kill them. (That does not mean you should in every case, in my opinion - I have had several copper head encounters and have walked away.)

Having said that, I do grieve for the snake I killed, too, as I do like them as a part of our ecosystem and I know they have a right to be here. You also don't see them that often and I think they are a bit of a miracle of nature.

Again, having said that, we have created an environment inside our fence line that is mostly free of predators such as foxes, possum, racoons, etc. and I think we have an abundance of snakes (and turtles, and toads, and skinks, and mice , and other small critters that the dogs don't hunt) since we have the livestock guardian dogs patrolling.

So the one snake that learned to get into our 7-year-not-breached coop and run and killed 1/3 of our babies and may have been back for more if I had not killed it... well that one got to be a fox/racoon/possum's dinner tonight. As it may have anyway if we had not created a predator-reduced zone around our coop.

At least that is what I am telling myself, to feel a little better.

 

[old chickady]

When I had a black snake problem in my hen house ( lying in the chicken nest) and several other areas, I got some barn cats that are feral. They got rid of the mouse population and then the snakes left and have stayed away.

 

[BennieAnTheJets]

When I had a black snake problem in my hen house ( lying in the chicken nest) and several other areas, I got some barn cats that are feral. They got rid of the mouse population and then the snakes left and have stayed away.

Great idea! I like it. Only, I am super hesitant to take on more animals. We started with the horses. Then there were cats in the house to take care of mice and skinks (that pooped on our living room carpet all the time - looks like bird poop). Since the cats, no more skinks. Also great mousers, so that was good. Then I got Lyme and we got the Guineas to eat the ticks - oh boy, what a responsibility! Then we got Livestock guardian dogs to guard the Guineas. Now more cats? Maybe I am ready to move back to the city, ha ha. Too many feed and vet bills to pay and animals to water and feed and warm and cool and keep from fighting and and and....

 

[BennieAnTheJets]

So I found another baby black snake **inside** the coop today. Arghh!!!

Inspected everything and can see only two ways they could have come in: 1. during the day through the door when the Guineas were free ranging and the door was open 2. on the roof ridge - I caulked the roof where it meets the walls, but the top ridge has not been sealed. Hasn't been a problem for 8 years but then again the tree over the roof has grown some and the branches are touching the roof more now, maybe.

I am scared that more snakes will come in and kill the other four tonight. If the dogs bark I will run out but not sure what else I can do tonight. Sigh! Always a worry with the Guineas. They are so fragile. Horses are easier to keep!

 

[BennieAnTheJets]

Ugh! I am so sorry for you! A snake got 3 of my babies last night too. I thought it was safe because we double checked all over, have a double wire fence and even some thorned vines growing on the outside but some how one got in and killed 3 of the babies.

It’s certainly frustrating and definitely feels like you let them down. I feel so bad for these babies because they don’t really know how to protect themselves yet and I bet they were just so terrified and it was their first night out in the pen too! They’re probably traumatized.

But I’m glad you were able to find your snake! Mines still on the loose but not for long. I’m on a mission lol. I feel bad killing them because they just wanted some food but I have to protect these poor babies cause they can’t do it themselves.

We just have to remind ourselves there is only so much we can do against nature. It’s so sad and I’m still really upset but I also know I did my best to try and prevent it but those snakes are sneaky and they’ll find their way in regardless of what you do. We get them in the chicken coop a lot and we’ve done just about everything we can to keep them out and they still find a way.

I am so sorry for your loss, newb1rdmom! What a terrible way to get started.

Agree with you on how helpless they are - only consolation is that they live in the now and don't fear the future - so happy flapping little wings often - when something bad happens, i just hope it is over for them soon.

Better than finding and killing the snake may be to move the keets if you can, so the snake won't find them at the same location. And use hardwire cloth screwed into wood and covered with wood strips or 2x4s. Doors and windows are tricky. Our snake came in throgh a door or roof line, I think.

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

So I found another baby black snake **inside** the coop today. Arghh!!!

Inspected everything and can see only two ways they could have come in: 1. during the day through the door when the Guineas were free ranging and the door was open 2. on the roof ridge - I caulked the roof where it meets the walls, but the top ridge has not been sealed. Hasn't been a problem for 8 years but then again the tree over the roof has grown some and the branches are touching the roof more now, maybe.

I am scared that more snakes will come in and kill the other four tonight. If the dogs bark I will run out but not sure what else I can do tonight. Sigh! Always a worry with the Guineas. They are so fragile. Horses are easier to keep!

How big was your latest black rat snake? I swear that guinea eggs and keets are snake magnets!! I’m walking the coop twice a day looking for snakes. Looking under boards, in nests, etc since I found the last snake. I’ve had two large snake invaders this summer! The one that ate one keet and a bunch of eggs, and a second that seemed to be lying in wait under some shavings nest Welch’s nest. I am so lucky that I found that second snake before it hurt her or her eggs (which are now keets)! I think that mine are coming in the coop auto door that opens in the morning and closes in the evening. The auto door opens into the run, which is clearly not secure against snakes...

 

[Sydney65]

You might have a nest?
*disclaimer-you may have read everything I'm reading& sharing, just know I'm trying to help find a solution,not be a smartypants. Only you know if your set up relates to what I read.
Seems like everything I read says, "remember snakes can get up in trees and drop from limbs-", & that they're going to show up where ever food is out bc food attracts rodents attracts snakes-but they're "other name" is "chicken snake" bc - insert your situation.
10-14 eggs laid beneath rocks or in manure piles,rotting vegetation,stumps,logs, compost piles.
Most snakes can fit through a 1/2-inch-wide crack.
Feel free to picture me now running to hardware store for roll of 1/4" hard cloth.- I'm not the one with the snake, & my coop is on a sleigh 10" off the ground that's completely closed in so nothing can climb under it, but,like talking abt headlice, I suddenly have an itch to prevent...

 

[R2elk]

Most snakes can fit through a 1/2-inch-wide crack.

Unintentionally I have found out that the bird netting they sell to protect fruit etc. from birds is an effective trap for large snakes. They crawl through an opening and then start weaving in and out of the netting until they are stuck and cannot move anymore.

I found a bull snake dead caught in some netting in storage in my hay shed several years ago. I have found two dead in bird netting placed around my cherry trees this year.

 

[R2elk]

I held one Coral Blue keet back this year. I am hoping that it is a male since my flock is currently 5 cocks and 8 hens. It is approximately 4 weeks old.