Snakes!!

[WB Chicks]

Copperhead snake problem! In 3 weeks, the 2nd Copperhead snake was killed by our hen house.
The first one was in the run before we increased walls from chain link fence and poultry wire to finally 1/4“ and 1/2“ hardware cloth. The hardware cloth is buried in the ground about 3” and 3x6 stones(bricks) are placed next to the fencing. We have done as much as we can think of to protect our Girls. We call it the Taj MaChick
Obviously, living in the Texas country, it is no surprise snakes are around. The shovel and long handled machete or always readily available.
My question is....has anyone come up with a Solution to ward off or discourage snakes from coming around their chicken house??? Besides harming the Girls, the dogs are a concern as well.
Attached are photos of our set up for the 2 chickens that are 15 months old.

Obviously, living in the Texas country, it is no surprise snakes are around. The shovel and long handled machete or always readily available.
My question is....has anyone come up with a Solution to ward off or discourage snakes from coming around their chicken houses??? Besides harming the Girls, the dogs are a concern as well.
Attached are photos of our set up for the 2 chickens that are 15 months old.

 

[neo71665]

Snakes tend to originally be attracted to chickens due to mice being attracted to scattered chicken feed.

 

[ColtHandorf]

Agreed. Also with the plantings around the coop there are hiding places, water sources, etc.

 

[Al Gerhart]

Yeah, there is the answer. Unless you have a proper feeder you are going to have mice and rats and that is what draws in the snakes. Bats too, had an old building in a very old half abandoned coal mine town in Arkansas years ago. Copperheads in the roof chasing bats.

Most snakes want nothing to do with chickens but once they are around looking for rodents they will start stealing eggs if they are large enough. Get a treadle feeder. The feed savings will pay for it before the year is out in most cases if you have mice and you will have fewer diseases brought in by rodents and wild birds including lice and fleas.