what kind of snake is this?

[Godsgrl]

Its not a Rat Snake, it is a Poisonous "Clock" because during the seasons a mark on its belly goes clockwise, spring 12:00 summer 3:00 fall 6:00 and winter 9:00, a clock snake, it is not a rat snake it will kill your chickens, in the winter one was found dead, they had studied it, and they found recent chicken bone grinds.

I looked up venomous snakes in Delaware, and found you have only two. The copperhead, and the timber rattlesnake. Just for your info, the rattler is worse to be bitten by than the copperhead. Here is a link showing you what these look like: http://www.preservevenomous.com/Ven...s of Delaware/Venomous_snakes_of_Delaware.htm

Sorry, don't know how to shorten that. And don't feel bad, all areas have different nicknames for snakes. Here, people call gray rats "white oak runners." That took some getting used to for me. Take care, and have a great day!

 

[Katoo1]

Uh-oh, went to close up the coop for the night, and there were two of 'em.

 

[dawg53]

Uh-oh, went to close up the coop for the night, and there were two of 'em.

Katoo, you dont live far from me. I've lost alot of cockerals, pullets and chicks to those snakes $$. They will even go after adult chickens, had it happen to a full grown Buff Orpington hen about 5 years ago. They will go after chickens during the day as well, like the pic I previously posted in the middle of the day. They are the only snake I've had issues with and I kill them on sight.

 

[TheJadeChicken]

It is a yellow rat snake aka chicken snake in this area.

That is a Garter Snake or Garden Snake. Strange fact on them.....They are mildly venomous. Not enough to kill a human, though.

 

[dawg53]

That is a Garter Snake or Garden Snake. Strange fact on them.....They are mildly venomous. Not enough to kill a human, though.

You are correct, my bad. The yellow rat snake doesnt have the small square-like blotches. OP definitely has the yellow rat snake, the same type that has killed my birds and the end result is the same.
Here you go, post #13.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/614621/obsessed-with-snakes-in-the-coop-want-pics/10

 

[brahmakid11]

You are correct, my bad. The yellow rat snake doesnt have the small square-like blotches. OP definitely has the yellow rat snake, the same type that has killed my birds and the end result is the same.
Here you go, post #13.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/614621/obsessed-with-snakes-in-the-coop-want-pics/10

 

[brahmakid11]

 

[AmyLM]

I leave our rat snakes alone. They are good predators of rats and mice. I just try to keep my hens as safe as I can from the snakes. Rats and mice are dangerous to the chickens... but so are the snakes. But the snakes don't chew their way into EVERYTHING... or breed nearly as fast. So which would you prefer??

 

[Katoo1]

I  leave our rat snakes alone. They are good predators of rats and mice. I just try to keep my hens as safe as I can from the snakes. Rats and mice are dangerous to the chickens... but so are the snakes. But the snakes don't chew their way into EVERYTHING... or breed nearly as fast. So which would you prefer??

They are eating MOST of the eggs.

 

[dawg53]

I leave our rat snakes alone. They are good predators of rats and mice. I just try to keep my hens as safe as I can from the snakes. Rats and mice are dangerous to the chickens... but so are the snakes. But the snakes don't chew their way into EVERYTHING... or breed nearly as fast. So which would you prefer??

I dont disagree with you. I lost 4 out of 6 chicks in a brooder cage in my garage to a yellow rat snake. It was fat from swallowing the chicks, it couldnt fit through the cage to escape. This place crawls with them, no rat or mice problems and that's why they're coming after the chicks/chickens. I'll save them for you and you can come pick them up if you wish lol. PM me and I'll give you my address.