Will a Large Black Rat snake try to kill my full sized BA's???

[Eggscaping]

You might consider the following, from our local agricultural agency:

"The natural predatory behaviors of snakes are extremely valuable to humans. Many snake species prey heavily on insects and rodents. When snake populations decline the populations of these prey items increase, often causing serious problems to people.
Insects and other arthropods can destroy gardens or enter people's homes where they will be undesired. When rodent populations surge, the animals can destroy crops at an alarming rate, effecting supplies of food and industries. They can also spread many harmful diseases. It is well documented that rodents are also a leading cause of house fires, caused by the chewing of wires in walls and attics.
Snakes are also valuable because they are efficient at keeping the number of rodents and insects in check, without relying on damaging chemical pesticides which can degrade the environment and harm other animal species. Snakes are very effective at hunting such prey because they can crawl into small burrows and other areas that rodents use as shelters. These places are too small for other predators to get into."

 

[Bunnylady]

This is my friend, the Rat Patrol. S/he has lived here for several years, and is now about 5 feet long. Yes, I lose a few eggs, but I know for a fact that this one is keeping the rat population in check (worse than mice).

 

[Eggscaping]

View attachment 1706055

This is my friend, the Rat Patrol. S/he has lived here for several years, and is now about 5 feet long. Yes, I lose a few eggs, but I know for a fact that this one is keeping the rat population in check (worse than mice).

Oh my gosh, she/he is beautiful! You are wonderful and so is your partnership!!

 

[DuckWhisperer06]

One of our roosters actually ate a small snake and has since been very protective of the hens so I wouldn’t worry too much about the rat snake getting your chickens although it may attack if it feels threatened.

 

[7acres]

Seen them in the nest under hens. Never knew one to bother a full grown chicken. Will eat the small chicks. We used to let them live in the corn crib for rats and mice control.

 

[Chickenbrainiac]

Logically, I don't see how they can swallow a full grown hen or roo but they might develop a taste for your eggs rather than mice.

Best to limit the areas the snake can reach.

 

[Fishkeeper]

Snakes don't attack things that they can't swallow, and are generally good at judging what they can fit down their throat. He won't go after your chickens. Just make the coop snake-proof, and accept losing a few eggs that the hens lay outside, in exchange for the snake eating all the rodents it can find. Snakes are opportunists- they won't decide "oh, I'll only eat eggs" and ignore any rodents that cross their path. They just eat whatever food happens to cross their path when they're hungry.

If it really bothers you to have it around, you could always just catch and move it, or get someone else to catch it. If a rat snake bites you, it'll hurt some, but you'll be fine. I'd keep it, though, they're great rat-eaters. And, unlike stray or outdoor cats, they can't carry rabies, fleas, or mammal-relevant parasites.

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

i dont, thankfully!!! wooh!

good!

 

[Bunnylady]

Snakes don't attack things that they can't swallow,

This isn't 100% true. Sometimes they will try for something that is a bit bigger than they can swallow (I had a friend who occasionally lost doves to snakes that could kill them, but couldn't get them down - he'd find a dead bird with the head feathers damp and mussed up from the snake trying to swallow it, and not able to get past the shoulders). I once rescued a young Polish cockerel from an overly ambitious 30-or-so inch rat snake; the bird was a little smaller than a Serama, but way too big for the snake to swallow, and he was wrapped up and close to his last breath when I intervened. If you have small birds, like Seramas or East Indian ducks, you might have reason to be worried, but I've never seen adult large fowl threatened by rat snakes.

 

[123RedBeard]

Maybe ... probably best to tighten up you coop ...

Read this https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/snakes-kill-chickens.379873/