How to Keep Snakes Away from My Coop?

[BarnyardPhilosopher]

I spotted a Pygmy Rattlesnake on my porch last night! Thankfully, my Great Pyrenees alerted me before anyone got hurt. We havent seen snakes here in over ten years, and my hens arent laying yet, so its not an egg issue.

Because of the heat, I leave my Omlet Cube door open at night for ventilation, and while the run is predator-proof, a small snake could easily slip in. Ive reinforced the run with garden cloth and tarps for shade, but Im not sure what else to do.

The extension service suggested glue traps, but thats not safe with dogs. I dont know what attracted the snake or if chickens naturally draw them in. We have a small yard in a suburban area, not out in the woods.

Any advice on keeping snakes away and making sure my chickens stay safe? Should I be worried?

[BarnyardBuddy]

I'd try snake repellent granules or sulfur around the perimeter. Also, a raised coop floor can make it harder for snakes to get in.

[EggSeeker]

It's possible the snake was just passing through, but if you saw one, there could be more. Chickens won't necessarily attract them, but their food, spilled feed, and shaded areas might. Try keeping the area clean, removing debris, and making sure all openings are covered with hardware cloth. If you keep seeing them, a professional wildlife removal service may be worth considering.

[CoopBuilder]

Some people swear by using natural snake repellents like cinnamon, sulfur, or clove oil around their coops. I haven't tried it, but it might be worth a shot.

[Coopinator]

Pygmy rattlers are venomous but not aggressive. They typically only bite when provoked. Your biggest concern is securing the coop and yard. Since you have dogs, avoid glue traps or chemical repellents. Instead, try hardware cloth with ¼-inch mesh around the base of the coop and run. Elevating the coop a few inches can also deter snakes. Keeping the yard tidy and removing water sources can help reduce the likelihood of more encounters.

[CoopConnoisseur]

Motion-activated lights or sprinklers might help deter snakes at night. They don't like sudden disturbances.

[NestArchitect]

I spotted a Pygmy Rattlesnake on my porch last night! Thankfully, my Great Pyrenees alerted me before anyone got hurt. We havent seen snakes here in over ten years, and my hens arent laying yet, so its not an egg issue.

Because of the heat, I leave my Omlet Cube door open at night for ventilation, and while the run is predator-proof, a small snake could easily slip in. Ive reinforced the run with garden cloth and tarps for shade, but Im not sure what else to do.

The extension service suggested glue traps, but thats not safe with dogs. I dont know what attracted the snake or if chickens naturally draw them in. We have a small yard in a suburban area, not out in the woods.

Any advice on keeping snakes away and making sure my chickens stay safe? Should I be worried?

I've had a similar issue before! You might want to install a snake-proof fence around the run. This means using fine hardware cloth, burying it a few inches underground, and bending it outward at the bottom to make it harder for snakes to climb. Also, check for any small gaps in your coop or run where a snake could squeeze through. Keeping the coop area well-lit at night can also discourage them from coming close.

[QuirkyQuailKeeper]

It's good that your dog alerted you! Keeping your yard free of debris and regularly checking for holes in fencing should help prevent future encounters.225 As long as she's not gone too long, the eggs should be fine. A half-hour in warm weather isn't a big concern.

[RoostSage]

Snakes seek out food, water, and shelter. Even if you don't have eggs, rodents or even the cool shade near your coop might be inviting. Make sure you store feed in metal containers, eliminate hiding spots like tall grass or woodpiles, and consider keeping a natural deterrent like guinea fowl. Some people also swear by scattering mothballs or using cinnamon, though effectiveness varies.

[EggCelestial]

Since you're in a small yard and not the woods, I'd suspect rodents are the real problem. Eliminating their presence could solve your snake issue.