How to keep snakes away?

[germex]

So i have 6 bantam chicks of different breeds. I have yet to get a coop and when I do I want to make sure that its snake proof. I live in texas on 5 acres with forests and such around, and we've found rattlesnakes on the road before. Is there anything else I can do to keep snakes away from my birds besides 1/4 inch fencing and keeping the grass short? I'm not too worried about foxes and such because we have dogs that would keep them away, and whatever coop i get will have a roof so i dont have to worry about hawks. I am willing to make whatever adjustments/add ons I need to keep them safe. Thanks!

 

[Neezers Farm]

So i have 6 bantam chicks of different breeds. I have yet to get a coop and when I do I want to make sure that its snake proof. I live in texas on 5 acres with forests and such around, and we've found rattlesnakes on the road before. Is there anything else I can do to keep snakes away from my birds besides 1/4 inch fencing and keeping the grass short? I'm not too worried about foxes and such because we have dogs that would keep them away, and whatever coop i get will have a roof so i dont have to worry about hawks. I am willing to make whatever adjustments/add ons I need to keep them safe. Thanks!

 

[Neezers Farm]

I bought this sulfur powder at the feed store. It is supposed to repel snakes, however I bought it to keep chiggers out of the yard so I can't vouch for the effectiveness as a snake repellent. I live in the woods in Florida between two swamps. Other than a resident black snake that steals an egg occasionally, I have not had a problem with snakes around the chicks and chickens. I know there is electric fence to keep rattlesnakes out of yards.
I had a problem with, I assume, a raccoon getting into a very small gap by the roof of the coop. It killed 2 adult hens and one adult rooster one night, even though there were 2 large dogs in the yard. No problems since I sealed up all the gaps with hardware wire.
Good luck with your chickens

 

[germex]

I bought this sulfur powder at the feed store. It is supposed to repel snakes, however I bought it to keep chiggers out of the yard so I can't vouch for the effectiveness as a snake repellent. I live in the woods in Florida between two swamps. Other than a resident black snake that steals an egg occasionally, I have not had a problem with snakes around the chicks and chickens. I know there is electric fence to keep rattlesnakes out of yards.
I had a problem with, I assume, a raccoon getting into a very small gap by the roof of the coop. It killed 2 adult hens and one adult rooster one night, even though there were 2 large dogs in the yard. No problems since I sealed up all the gaps with hardware wire.
Good luck with your chickens

Does the sulfur bother your dogs at all? The chickens and dogs will be in an enclosef area of about 2 1/2 acres, but I'm sure the dogs will come up to the coop to see whats going on. I don't want them to get sulfur on their paws or something and get sick. Ill make sure to reinforce the coop to protect against raccoons!

 

[cavemanrich]

2 1/2 acres is a large area to protect. Even if it is fenced , you risk the possibility of hawks flying and taking your chickens. My suggestion would be a smaller run well secured ,and let them free range when you are with them outside. Electric fencing is a good option for large areas.
WISHING YOU BEST and

 

[Neezers Farm]

...

I bought this sulfur powder at the feed store. It is supposed to repel snakes, however I bought it to keep chiggers out of the yard so I can't vouch for the effectiveness as a snake repellent. I live in the woods in Florida between two swamps. Other than a resident black snake that steals an egg occasionally, I have not had a problem with snakes around the chicks and chickens. I know there is electric fence to keep rattlesnakes out of yards.
I had a problem with, I assume, a raccoon getting into a very small gap by the roof of the coop. It killed 2 adult hens and one adult rooster one night, even though there were 2 large dogs in the yard. No problems since I sealed up all the gaps with hardware wire.
Good luck with your chickens

[
It doesn't bother the dogs or the chickens. I sprinkle some sulfur powder in the chicken dusting areas to help keep mites away. The dogs will lay in the dust to sunbathe.

 

[Neezers Farm]

Does the sulfur bother your dogs at all? The chickens and dogs will be in an enclosef area of about 2 1/2 acres, but I'm sure the dogs will come up to the coop to see whats going on. I don't want them to get sulfur on their paws or something and get sick. Ill make sure to reinforce the coop to protect against raccoons!

No, it does not bother the dogs or chickens. I sprinkle some in the chicken dusting areas and the dogs will lay in it to sunbathe. You can put the dust around the perimeter of your yard.

 

[azygous]

No, sulphur does not repel snakes, nor does mothballs. Both are myths. University studies have disproved both.

A snake infestation can be dealt with in a few different ways. A snake can be trapped and physically removed from the area. This can be done by hand using a hook and bag or garbage can, or a snake trap can be set near the run. A proven method when dealing with a snake infestation is to remove the habitat. Eliminate weeds, rocks, and clutter around the home, and the snakes have no place to hide. A solid, vertical fence 2-feet high deters the snake from entering an area. There should be no gaps or holes for the snake to enter through because snakes are good at that.

I had been having an occasional rattler get into my run. I decided more hardware cloth 24" wide secured around the entire run was a worthy endeavor. It has paid off. No rattlers in around five years now. Even though I got used to removing rattlesnakes from campsites in my career as a park ranger, I would prefer not having to deal with them, and so would my chickens.

 

[meetthebubus]

the snakes in area are coming out of hibernation, a rooster is a good pest deterent, ever since they've come out of hibernation I've noticed Roo, my rooster making high pitched noises and such keeping them away from the run of course the small chicken wire on the bottom helps too.

just a thought...