Yellow Rat Snake

[dawg53]

Quote:
I had a 5 foot long yellow rat snake pull a 2 year old Buff Orpington hen off her roost and drag her out into the pen in the middle of the night. I heard her screams and went outside with my flashlight. The snake was still trying to coil around her. I quickly got the snake off her and killed it.

 

[dwdoc]

Quote:
Snakes don't creep me out. The black snake has lived in my back yeard for years. But, I have not see the Rat Snake before and I was concerned because I am new to chickens and was worried for them...and my investment.

 

[Lbrad7]

Quote:
Snakes don't creep me out. The black snake has lived in my back yeard for years. But, I have not see the Rat Snake before and I was concerned because I am new to chickens and was worried for them...and my investment.

I still have no plans on taking the one in my barn out but after reading a few of these posts, I am a little more concerned. He is over 7ft long and as thick as my wrist. I figured he may try and take a Sebright or a d'Uccle. I am shocked to read that others have had them try and kill full grown LF. Especially one as large as an Orpington.

Good luck to all of you. I am still going to give mine free reign...at least until he changes his diet from rodent to fowl.

 

[SLWyandotte]

only snake i know of in the U.S. (besides imported feral pet snakes) that will eat a grown chicken are the eastern and western diamondback. the large ones. i've seen a 18 rattler and a button eastern swallow a full grown cottontail. all other snakes here are just too small. they will eat eggs and biddies though. if it's about the size of a big rat it's food as far as the snake is concerned. venomous snakes won't strike a chicken unless the chicken harasses it. roos are in the most danger of this cause they try to protect the flock.