Rat snakes in the coop

[lazarus]

Suggestions on deterring it/getting rid of it? Had my damn face down by the nesting box door this evening when I opened it expecting to find one of my ladies in it. Nope, a 6’ long 3” diameter rat snake with a big old egg in its gullet.

I barely managed to get it out with a hoe and before I could get it with a shovel and darted right back in to the coop/run. Told my wife to keep the flashlight on it and went to get my 38 and rat shot.

Back out 2 minutes later and of course she didn’t pay attention to it at all. So it was gone.

In reading, the chickens might keep it away during the day and I just need to make sure to get the eggs late afternoon and probably check about half an hour after they go to bed as it’s likely to come back at night and not during the day.

Any other thoughts?

 

[rseymorejr]

Rent a mongoose?

 

[geda]

He is also eating the mice that are eating the $$$ chicken feed and hantavirusing the joint up. It is probably a wash unless he eats eggs all the time.

 

[lx1x]

How do you keep snakes out of chicken coops? - Thank Chickens

What will keep snakes away? Natural repellents including sulfur, clove and cinnamon oil, and vinegar may help repel snakes. Pour these substances around the perimeter of your property, any place you have noticed snake activity. Are snakes harmful to chickens? The short answer is yes; snakes do...

thankchickens.com

 

[TI-tick]

Plug entrance holes with spray foam?

 

[Burt Hammersmith]

Yeah that’s a tough one. Snakes good for the rodents even with the cost of a few eggs here and there. But having one in the coop… good way to get bit

 

[Jim12]

I thought black snakes were a good thing.

 

[MeatGrinder]

Catch it and haul it a long ways away.

Ceramic eggs will kill it, but that may not be what you prefer.

 

[King Chicken]

Back out 2 minutes later and of course she didn’t pay attention to it at all. So it was gone.

Lol that's great
Except it's not. Tell her I said that's conspiracy to commit murder.

He is also eating the mice that are eating the $$$ chicken feed and hantavirusing the joint up

..and also the more local problem of Lyme disease and ticks on rodents. Wonder if they get diarrhea or farts from the Lyme disease 8)

 

[DeadInside]

Just an FYI killing (any) snake in MD is illegal…they are all protected species.

 

[28Shooter]

I thought black snakes were a good thing.

Black Rat Snakes are more passive but also bigger.

 

[joppaj]

Unless you need every egg for subsistence or sale, a healthy rat snake is indeed cheap insurance because rats will be much worse. Are you sure it was a rat snake and not a racer? Neither is of course venomous.

 

[Overwatcher]

Trap them with a minnow trap, and relocate. Use eggs for bait.

 

[newmuzzleloader]

Just an FYI killing (any) snake in MD is illegal…they are all protected species.

Do you want to cite that?

I've caught snakes in my coop eating the baby chicks as well as the eggs. I could be wrong but it seems once they get a taste for eggs the snakes keep going for them as they're easier to find and catch.

 

[308Scout]

Do you want to cite that?

I've caught snakes in my coop eating the baby chicks as well as the eggs. I could be wrong but it seems once they get a taste for eggs the snakes keep going for them as they're easier to find and catch.

http://mdrules.elaws.us/comar/08.03.11.09

 

[John from MD]

I agree with the spray foam idea as long as you use the chicken wire with small holes. Rat snakes can slither through really small holes but they are easy to catch by hand. Their bite only breaks the skin if you are an old thin skinned guy like me. I have captured many in my house and just carry them outside.

In two cases they had babies and I never found where they came from. My wife didn't appreciate snakes on the kitchen floor.

 

[beetles]

Rat snakes and racers are a benefit in the way of free rodent control. The fact that they are there at all is a likely indicator that you have rodents in your yard. As other said, they are non-venomous and not dangerous. You really shouldn't kill them. Normally they run when confronted, but they do have teeth and can bite if cornered or held carelessly. An egg or two shouldn't be an issue.

 

[Doctor_M]

Its a symbiotic relationship... kind of like mob protection. He is keeping the rodents down and the cost is a couple of eggs. To me it sounds like a good deal. Embrace it.

 

[AKbythebay]

We have tons of those things over here. Every spring I get one or two in the garage and/or shed. They love the mulch area in front of my porch and I'm pretty sure they nest underneath. I hate snakes but have been convinced over the years to leave them be as they do a lot of good in rodent control. Wish I had suggestions for you but I really have no idea how to keep them out of the coop.

Here's a pic of a good size one in my bushes right in front of the front porch

 

[lazarus]

Rent a mongoose?

I already have feelers out on that one.