What type of snake? - located in Michigan USA

[RevlisRemmah]

Hi all.

When I do my chicken chores each day I let the chickens out of their coop to roam free for a bit.

I saw a few gathered around the back of the run then leaping back in fear, then gathering around again. They had found a snake!

It honestly is bigger than any garter snake I have seen in my life. It had a red tongue. I had read posts on here saying chickens “slurp up snakes like spaghetti” but it just seemed much too big for them to take on.

I put them back in the coop and the snake was gone when I went too look for it again.
Is this just a garter snake? And should I have let the chickens dispatch it, or could they have gotten hurt?

Sorry that the pictures are terrible. I was not interested in getting any closer than needed.

 

[CluckerFamily]

Looks like an Eastern Garter Snake.

 

[Painted Calls]

Eastern Garter. Poor thing was scared to death in those pics.

 

[Banty crazy]

Beautiful snake but it’s not a garter snake. I’m thinking bull snake but the line down it’s back stumps me. No snakes are great for mouse and rat control and that’s probably why it’s there.

 

[RevlisRemmah]

Eastern Garter. Poor thing was scared to death in those pics.

He was! He lashed out at them more than once. He was smart- saw his opening to escape and didn’t stick around. Hope he doesn’t come back to visit!

 

[Painted Calls]

It's an Eastern Garter (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis).

 

[RevlisRemmah]

Beautiful snake but it’s not a garter snake. I’m thinking bull snake but the line down it’s back stumps me. No snakes are great for mouse and rat control and that’s probably why it’s there.

It had a red tongue too.

 

[CluckerFamily]

I still think Eastern Garter Snake.

 

[RevlisRemmah]

I still think Eastern Garter Snake.

This one looks a lot like him!

do you think he will come back??? Will they try to eat the eggs my chickens haven’t started laying yet? Could they have eaten him?

 

[Banty crazy]

I still think Eastern Garter Snake.

You might be right. I’m from Iowa and I don’t remember them looking like that. Shouldn’t it have strips Down it’s sides too?