They'll go after anything small they can find if it's easy. You have a good point, though. Unless the coop is somewhere near a body of water of some sort, it's less likely to be a northern watersnake. However...northern watersnakes (and copperheads) generally tend to have a darker color on their underside than prairie kingsnakes, and I think even their "light" color tones tend to be darker.

 

The particularly purposeful bit of information for Godot, though, would be knowing if it's a copperhead or not. The triangular/spade shape of the head is really the dead giveaway for that. I believe pit vipers (like copperheads and cottonmouths) generally have longer fangs as well. Also...copperheads have vertical slit-shaped pupils. If Godot can muster up the cojones to peel open the eyelids, he might be able to figure that out.

 

As for keeping the snakes out...that's a tough one. Raising the coop will help some. Maybe wrapping it with hardware cloth instead of chicken wire as well?

 

Unless his coop is on the banks of a river or pond I'm not seeing it. I will admit that it looks more like a Northern Water Snake but snakes can be quite variable and I've seen some Prairie Kings that look like that. The nature of the attack fits them a lot more than a Northern Water Snake.

Godot,

 

Did you actually see the snake eat the chick? Wondering if it killed it by constriction.

Godot,

 

Did you actually see the snake eat the chick? Wondering if it killed it by constriction.

I didn't see anything. They had been swallowed when I found them.

Looks like a Copperhead to me, but really can't tell.

 

If you see anymore, you got a den close.....

It doesn't look like a copperhead to me. Copperheads tend to have more girth than length. Also, the pattern on a copperhead tends to really stand out. This one just doesn't fit the bill, although I wouldn't be 100% without a closeup of the head.

Is there a creek nearby? I saw snakes that looked like that in a creek yesterday, and what I could find on the internet that looked like them were Redbelly Water Snakes which are found in this area. The bellies aren't always red...can be yellow.

Alright, I just saw a fairly large black snake go under my front porch. Anyone that comes and gets him, beer is on me. I'd rather deal with a lion than a snake.

First let me start by saying I hate snakes. I am afraid of snake and not ashamed to admit they scare me. Why I don’t know.

 

I raise bantam chickens and I have some baby chicks about four weeks old in a rabbit cage in my feed shed. Last night when I got home and went to feed them I opened the door to the shed and there in their cage looking at me was a snake with a big lump in its middle. It had swallowed one of my chicks. I called a neighbor and he came over and got the snake out of the cage and killed it for me.

 

This morning about 5 AM I go back to the pen to turn the fan on for them and there was another snake in the cage. This one had gotten to of my chicks. Well I about craped my pants. But I did pull myself together enough to get it out and take care of it by myself.

 

So what kind of snake is it and how do I get rid of them?

 

 

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That is a common rat snake my friend. Harmless to you, but not your chicks.

 

Apparently one has nested near you. Call your county extention agent to confirm ID.

Edited June 25, 201214 yr by coldweatherfan

Alright, I just saw a fairly large black snake go under my front porch. Anyone that comes and gets him, beer is on me. I'd rather deal with a lion than a snake.

 

If solid black it is most likely a black racer. Good snake to have around.

 

Black patches would probably be a cowsucker. Harmless and useless.

 

Black speckled is king snake. The best snake to have around.

If solid black it is most likely a black racer. Good snake to have around.

 

Black patches would probably be a cowsucker. Harmless and useless.

 

Black speckled is king snake. The best snake to have around.

 

Not with two kids aged 4 and 6.

Not with two kids aged 4 and 6.

 

I know a lot of people are afraid of snakes, but most snake fears are unfounded. They do a lot of good, and get rid of things you don't want.

 

95% of snakes are good, and they don't feed on children.

 

Best thing is to learn to identify them.

I know a lot of people are afraid of snakes, but most snake fears are unfounded. They do a lot of good, and get rid of things you don't want.

 

95% of snakes are good, and they don't feed on children.

 

Best thing is to learn to identify them.

 

Well, he had until I can see him again to do me some good by getting rid of himself. The last thing I need is him scaring or biting one of my kids.

That is a common rat snake my friend. Harmless to you, but not your chicks.

 

Apparently one has nested near you. Call your county extention agent to confirm ID.

 

I thought it was a rat snake also.

Thank you guys. I got some stuff the the feed mill that I sprinkled around the chicken house and in has kept them away so far.

Thank you guys. I got some stuff the the feed mill that I sprinkled around the chicken house and in has kept them away so far.

What is the stuff you purchased?