That looks like a speckled kingsnake. They eat other snakes. We have a few around our house. But I did see a black rat snake yesterday. I almost stepped on it. I hate black rat snakes.
I was happy to see her teaching them about snakes, the only time we ever had a snake problem was the short period we were without a cat.
I know that she won't bother the chicks once their grown, but as soon as I put them out in the playpen she was trying to reach through. Course she was just doing what cats do.
I have a cat, I took her in as a pregnant stray, and she loves the chicks. She sits and watches them all day. She wont try to put her paws through the wire or anything.
Great photos! We keep an average of 25 ferals on-site, and there isn't a rodent or snake around. To teach the kits to hunt they have to leave the property.
Good for you! Use a predator to keep your chickens safe.