Springtime .22 rifle changes to shotgun

[Sagetown]

Spring is just around the corner, and the large hungry rat snakes likes chicken. So I end up having to battle them inside my horse barn where my little bantam chickens like to roost. I use Rat Shot so as not to blow holes all through my barn.

These suckers are huge and will scare you half out of your wits, especially at night when its just you; your gun; and a flashlight. They'll drop right out of the rafters on ya........

 

[shiftyer1]

I always thought chickens took care of snakes? Or are you talking just eggs? The reason I ask is because i've been thinking of getting some chickens for my snake problem.

 

[Sagetown]

These snakes can't swallow the chickens even thought they are the Small Bantams. But they try. They can slither right up the poles to the rafters where the Bantams roost, wrap themselves around them and strangle them. They get into the nests and devour the eggs and baby chicks too.

It's surprising how they can unhinge their jaws to engulf a young pullet. I've shot 'em while they were in the process of doing it. eerie.

 

[shiftyer1]

I always thought that chickens are snake killers

 

[22-rimfire]

Big snake. Great photo. I wouldn't bother them since they probably do you more good than bad with mice and so forth.

 

[Sagetown]

Well for some reason, I'm definitely not in short supply of them. They can have all the rats they want, and I wouldn't argue with them at all, but when you find a dead chicken every other day or two, you get kinda ticked off.

Now if it were Opossums killing my chickens, you'd find dead chickens with their heads eaten off. Don't know why they do that?

p.s. 22-Rimfire: I agree with you to a certain degree, because several years ago when this all began I'd capture them and take them off and turn them loose for the very reason you gave. But when you go into your barn at night and find 3 of those big boys with chickens in their clutch, its time to clean house......

 

[U.S.SFC_RET]

How about a nice .410 shotgun as not to scare the birdies.
Nice chicken steak I mean snake you got there.

 

[Cyborg]

Fresh Brains!

Now if it were Opossums killing my chickens, you'd find dead chickens with their heads eaten off. Don't know why they do that?

Cause them possums is ZOMBIE POSSUMS! "BRAINS! FRESH BRAINS"

Cy

 

[Hawk]

I always thought that chickens are snake killers

I never heard that but I learn something new around here every day.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Do_chicke...ifc_bread_or_species_that_eat_and_kill_snakes.
It would appear the snake has to be both of a manageable size and slow enough for chickens to catch it. Olde rat snake would appear to be neither.

 

[Sagetown]

Shiftyer1 said: I always thought that chickens are snake killers

During daylight hours chickens are pretty fiesty, but at night they can't see well so they won't hardly move when disturbed.

If you ever need to move a flock of chickens, just wait till they go to roost. Then with a few toesacks and a dim flashlight shine the light on a hen and slowly but firmly grasp a hen with both hands and lift it off the roost and gently put it in the bag. NO fuss, no muss. Same with pigeons, and maybe most domestic fowl.