Do chickens attract snakes? Poisonous rattler last night

[fowltemptress]

I haven't heard an owl in months. (new construction is killing their habitat).

This is likely the reason for the visit from the snake. New construction wreaks havoc for every wild thing, and the poor things need somewhere to go. My mother quit killing rattlesnakes on her property once developments started surrounding her. She doesn't have the heart to hurt critters just looking to escape the destruction of their home.

 

[SourRoses]

Hi fellow Floridian! In my opinion, it's living in Fl, and the time of year, which is most responsible for snake sightings.
At our current residence we have seen 6 snakes this year, and dispatched 3 - one that was trying to get into my parked car, one slithering up the side of our house (weird), and one pencil thin corn snake that squeezed past defenses to get into the chick brooder and kill a chick it couldn't possibly swallow.
The 3 that kept their lives were all black racers that just minded their own business.
At our previous residence, in the same city, over 8 years we saw only 2 or 3 snakes. That was much more rural and bordering on a woodsy area with a natural pond. My theory is they had everything they needed out there so they didn't bother us. Here, it's more developed so maybe this patch of land is more appealing in comparison to the neighbors.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Just an fyi: rattlesnakes are venomous, not poisonous. Something is poisonous if it's toxic when eaten. A rattlesnake injects a venom into your tissues when it bites you. This psa is brought to you by Can't Help Myself, Ltd., lol.

Glad nobody was hurt, btw! And GOOD DOG! Give that pup a piece of sirloin or something! And tell the local news what she did!

 

[Logar]

Just an fyi: rattlesnakes are venomous, not poisonous. Something is poisonous if it's toxic when eaten. A rattlesnake injects a venom into your tissues when it bites you. This psa is brought to you by Can't Help Myself, Ltd., lol.

Beat me to it lol.

But chances are it is completely random. assuming you don’t have a massive rodent problem then there is no other reason it would have a reason to come near the chickens. Most likely it was just roaming for a rodent or following a trail. I wouldn’t worry about it.

 

[HerdAndHome]

I am with aart, chickens attract mice/rats and where they are the snakes will follow. Construction also attracts mice/rats, and takes away raptor habitat so I suspect you've had a vermin explosion with a side of unwary snakes since raptors also control snake population. Sounds like you need a barn cat. And some rat snakes. Do not kill the rat snakes. DO NOT! They are constrictors *that can climb sides of houses & trees* and they will take care of venomous snakes such as your rattler and my copperheads here in Atlanta. They do like eggs though so you'll have to keep watch on your laying boxes. I know it's frightening to deal with snakes. Glad no being was bitten.

 

[Bawkbok]

We found a huge dead toad a few days prior to this event which is unusual. We use no pesticides or bug killers of any kind in the yard due to the dogs. We also have a mole/vole problem so I'm sure that's the attractant, in addition to a plethora of lizards.
Our nearest 24 hour emergency vet is 90 minutes away. You wouldn't think this the case living in suburbia. I researched canine snake bites and it sounds like it's a death sentence unless immediate attention is received. I am so grateful this didn't turn out badly.
I will look up best practices (thank you for the suggestion) and have familiarized myself with the poisonous snakes in our area - too many of them.
yes, flashlights are a good thing. I am now in the habit of taking one out at night as I am afraid of the porch. Our dog is actually leary of coming back in after his nightly roundabout; his memory serves well. I used to think snakes were beautiful creatures - no more.

 

[Folly's place]

Check with your veterinarian about what to do, and where to go in an emergency! Ninety minutes is a LONG TIME for so many problems! Your local vets may have a plan for this.
And snakes are terrific, some more than others...
Mary

 

[Bawkbok]

SourRoses, I'm sorry for the loss of your chick - that's devastating.

Poisonous vs. venomous - I knew that. In the heat of the moment I quickly googled poisonous snakes and all kinds of hits with pretty pictures came up for "poisonous snakes" for my region. haha. Always good to be re-educated.

It probably is all the new construction going on in all directions driving the critters here. I am seeing more and more pest / bug professionals in the neighborhood also. We used to have a pair of GHOs that nested in a tree behind our yard for two seasons, they came back early this season to find a new house where their tree used to be. The Red tailed hawk pair that nested in a tree across the street for many many years, screamed and circled all morning this spring when they discovered their tree was cut down, and the Peregrine Falcons that used to nest in a different neighbors tree across the street lost their nesting tree as well. Frustrating and heartbreaking. We support and believe in the balance of nature and all critters are welcome here as long as they leave our animals alone. Just a risk I realize. Life in a city. Ugh

I've previously spoken with our vet about options in a prior emergency which occurred over a holiday. He told us Blue Pearl which is over two hours away. There is a shortage of vets in our county as it is, so calling all vets - come to north central Florida - we need you. I have no idea what the farmers do around here that actually need farm call vet service.

They paved paradise to put up a parking lot - or in this case - far too many houses.

 

[Al Gerhart]

Ditto on Aart's post, chickens draw mice and rats which draw all sorts of predators like raptors, furred predators, a lot of things eat rodents as a major part of their diet. Deal with the rodents ASAP.

 

[Bawkbok]

The only evidence of rodents I see is a mole that tunnels under the yard. I know this can definitely attract snakes. I see no evidence of mice or rats, that doesn't mean they're not out there. I've also not seen the snake since the occurrence, but then again, it could be lurking in a corner of the shed, under shrubs or in the woodpile. I can't put chemicals down until I know where they are and I don't want to kill my dog which eats everything so we never use any pesticides or herbicides, not even in the garden. I'll keep an eagle eye out for little critters though.