Do chickens attract snakes? Poisonous rattler last night

[Bawkbok]

We live in FL - not by any water - and I saw a Pygmy Rattler (highly poisonous) last night at our back door on the porch!!! If it weren't for our Great Pyrenees alerting me to the fact something was there in the dark, I - or he - would have been bitten. He hightailed it away as fast as he could. We haven't seen snakes here in over ten years. No one is laying yet so it's not an egg thing. Due to the extremely hot muggy nights, we have to leave the Omlet Cube door open since they suck at ventilation in the design. Fans are running in the run for air flow. While the coop and run are predator proof and include a 6" skirt all around, a small snake like that could easily slither through and get through the open door and window vent. We had some garden cloth around so I augmented the entire 9x12 run with it and tarps cover the top and south side for shade. I don't know what else to do about this situation. I called the extension service and they said to use the glue mouse traps. Well, that's not an option with dogs. I don't know what suddenly attracted this snake to the yard and don't know if chickens attract them...? We have a tiny yard with neighbors breathing down our neck on all sides, so it's not like we live in the woods. Any suggestions? Should I be worried? Thanks for any insight.

 

[FunnyBunny89]

I live in the countryside in northern california where we have diamondback rattlesnakes. They are super common, yet I've only ever encountered a handful in the 34 years that I've lived here (my whole life). Since we bought our home on 5 acres here, which is ripe with gophers, ground squirrels, and now our chickens, we have only discovered one rattlesnake on the property in just over 3 years. My guess? You just had a random visit. If the snake wasn't at the coop, I wouldn't assume the chickens brought him there. He's likely passing through or looking for some water or something. Either way, sounds like you've done a lot to protect your coop. Just relocate the sucker and keep an eye out.

 

[Loving my girls]

We don’t have REALLY scary snakes here, the only poisonous snake is the adder, but I find they are terrified of just about anything that moves. They will run at the speed (sorry wiggle) of light to get away from anything.

Unless your snakes have the attitude of our boars I wouldn’t worry.

 

[Bawkbok]

When our Pyr alerted - frozen stance with intense crouched stare - I noticed his body language in the dark - I knew something was there. I happened to have a flashlight in my hand (unusual) and when I turned it on, the snake was in a strike position. I didn't have my phone, of course, so I couldn't get a pic to ID it but I took a mental note of the coloring and design before it quickly slithered behind something on our porch. We have a privacy fenced back yard, so it had to slide underneath that. Geez louise -- we lived on 15 acres in the woods previously and never had a problem with predators although they were all over. Now living in a city with a fence and people all over, we have nothing but issues with critters. I also don't keep water outside for the dogs due to mosquitoes and all the nasty particulate matter in the air that puts a scum on water. I don't get it. I'm hoping it was a random visit funny bunny. The extension guy I spoke with said if you see it again, then I'd worry. Well, no kidding.

 

[Loving my girls]

When our Pyr alerted - frozen stance with intense crouched stare - I noticed his body language in the dark - I knew something was there. I happened to have a flashlight in my hand (unusual) and when I turned it on, the snake was in a strike position. I didn't have my phone, of course, so I couldn't get a pic to ID it but I took a mental note of the coloring and design before it quickly slithered behind something on our porch. We have a privacy fenced back yard, so it had to slide underneath that. Geez louise -- we lived on 15 acres in the woods previously and never had a problem with predators although they were all over. Now living in a city with a fence and people all over, we have nothing but issues with critters. I also don't keep water outside for the dogs due to mosquitoes and all the nasty particulate matter in the air that puts a scum on water. I don't get it. I'm hoping it was a random visit funny bunny. The extension guy I spoke with said if you see it again, then I'd worry. Well, no kidding.

OMG !!!
I’ve been googling away trying to find some animals you could use as guard animals that eat or kill snakes.
Not sure that the list will help that much though.
Perhaps give your hens little leather suits and rifles
(sorry I’m in a silly mood )

 

[Bawkbok]

haha, yeah, hawks definitely except that snakes are nocturnal and I haven't heard an owl in months. (new construction is killing their habitat). Haven't seen any sign of it since but I'm not convinced it isn't sill around. Gives me the heebee geebees.

 

[McChooky]

Minnow traps with an egg inside make good traps for snakes.They'll crawl along the edge of a fence, walk or wall to give you an idea on where to set it.Glad your guardian dog alerted you!

 

[Bawkbok]

Minnow traps with an egg inside make good traps for snakes.They'll crawl along the edge of a fence, walk or wall to give you an idea on where to set it.Glad your guardian dog alerted you!

Thanks for the suggestion. Good to know. Next time I drive by the bait shop I'll look to buy one. It's an excuse to stop and buy crickets for the girls. Without rain, our bugs have gone deep. Thank you

 

[Folly's place]

Glad you and your dog weren't bitten! A good flashlight is essential out there, if only to keep from stepping on a frog or something! I like to have the flashlight on and showing the ground ahead where I'm walking, and this would likely scare any snake, who will want to get out of your way.
Look up how to manage bites from rattlers, because 'best practices' have changed!
And know what snakes (and those poisonous toads) look like.
Setting a baited trap now might only attract it back, not ideal.
And make sure you know where your nearest veterinary ER is located!
Mary

 

[aart]

Well, chickens can attract rodents, which can attract snakes.