In this article, we’ll cover what species of snakes are most likely to break into your coop and the damage they can do, and we’ll walk you through every step of how to keep snakes out of your chicken coop—the right way.
If you keep chickens and have ever had a snake make its way into your coop, you likely know what kind of havoc they can wreak on your flock. It’s important to keep snakes out of your henhouse. Still, you should do this following specific procedure—certain traps and poisons can be inhumane, and killing snakes is detrimental to the natural ecosystem.
As a chicken owner you want to protect your flock and their eggs from all kinds of predators. One common egg thief that tends to invade coops is snakes. But not all snakes will eat chicken eggs. So what kind of snakes are the main culprits?
This article will tell you everything you need to know about the snake species that are most likely to break into your coop and steal eggs. I’ll cover .
- The main snake species that consume chicken eggs
- How these snakes are adapted to swallow eggs whole
- Tips for identifying signs of snakes in your coop
- Strategies to help deter snakes and protect your flock
Snakes That Commonly Eat Chicken Eggs
While many snakes eat small eggs, only certain species target chicken eggs specifically. The main culprits include:
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Rat snakes – Also called chicken snakes They climb well and squeeze through small gaps.
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Milk snakes – Opportunistic egg eaters that raid nests.
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Kingsnakes – Nonvenomous snakes that eat other snakes, eggs, rodents, and birds.
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Corn snakes – Will eat eggs if they can access a coop. Usually prey on rodents.
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Fox snakes – Raid nests and eat eggs, chicks, rabbits, and frogs.
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Black racers – Fast snakes that consume eggs, insects, and amphibians.
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Coachwhips – Aggressive hunters that eat eggs and raid nests.
These snakes can get over 5 feet long, which lets them eat big chicken eggs. Their ability to climb also makes it easy for them to get to high nesting boxes.
Physical Adaptations for Swallowing Eggs Whole
Certain snakes have evolved amazing adaptations that allow them to swallow chicken eggs whole:
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Extremely flexible jaws – Their lower jaws can flex widely to fit over an egg larger than their head.
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Stretchy throat muscles – Powerful muscles draw the egg down into the throat and esophagus.
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Sharp spine ridges – Bony protrusions in the throat help crack the egg once swallowed.
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No teeth – Teeth may puncture the egg, so egg-eating snakes are toothless.
These adaptations let snakes consume eggs larger than their heads in one piece. The egg moves to the throat where muscles crush it, allowing the snake to access the nutritious contents.
Signs of Snakes Raiding Your Coop
Keep an eye out for these signs that snakes may be raiding your coop:
- Decrease in number of eggs being laid
- Discovery of eggshells in or near the coop
- Evidence of snake tracks/sheddings close to the coop
- Chickens appearing stressed or scared
- Holes or gaps in the coop walls or foundation
Also watch for snakes entering at dusk when they are most active. If you spot any snakes near your coop, try to identify them. Knowing the local snake species can help you assess the risks.
5 Tips to Protect Eggs from Snakes
Fortify your coop and deter snakes with these strategies:
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Seal access points – Seal any gaps or holes where snakes may enter. Use wire mesh around foundations.
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Collect eggs often – Don’t leave fresh eggs overnight. Collect 3-4 times a day.
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Clear vegetation – Keep brush, debris, and hiding spots away from the coop.
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Use predator-proof nests – Elevate nests and use smooth surfaces snakes can’t grip.
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Employ natural repellents – Sprinkle strong-scented herbs or place mothballs around the perimeter.
When to Call a Professional
If you see a copperhead, rattlesnake, or cottonmouth snake near your coop, you should never try to get rid of it yourself. To safely move dangerous snakes, call a professional wildlife removal service or animal control.
Keeping Snakes Away Humanely
When dealing with nuisance snakes, try humane removal methods first before resorting to trapping or killing snakes. Here are some options:
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Use odor repellents and physical barriers to deter snakes from entering the coop area.
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Install predator-proof nesting boxes so snakes can’t access eggs.
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Clear hiding spots like brush piles and debris around the coop.
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Seal gaps in coop walls, foundations, doors, and windows with wire mesh or hardware cloth.
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Trim back vegetation and branches around the coop to eliminate access.
Key Takeaways on Snakes That Eat Chicken Eggs
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Rat snakes, kingsnakes, milk snakes, and corn snakes are the main culprits, thanks to their climbing skills.
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Unique adaptations like flexible jaws let certain snakes swallow eggs whole.
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Look for decreased eggs, shells, tracks, holes in the coop, and stressed chickens.
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Seal access points, collect eggs often, and use repellents to protect your flock.
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Call professionals to remove venomous snakes – never try it yourself.
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Deter snakes humanely first before considering removal methods like trapping.
What type of snakes will break into your coop & why
The type of snake you’re most likely to see breaking into your coop will vary based on your geographic location. However, there are a few common culprits that populate large regions of the United States. They are:
- People sometimes call rat snakes “chicken snakes” because they like to eat chicken eggs. These snakes live in the eastern and central United States. They don’t hurt people and can be found in a variety of places, such as fields, forests, and swamps. Their length ranges from about 6 feet to 10 feet, but most are about 6 feet. The different subspecies have different colors, but the most common ones are black, red, brown, yellow, and gray.
- Kingsnakes are different from other snakes because they eat all kinds of reptiles, even poisonous ones. com says that they can do this because they are immune to venom. Not only do they eat snakes, but also rats, birds, and your hens’ eggs if they can get them. They stand out because of their red, black, and yellow stripes, and people often mistake them for coral snakes, which are also red, black, and yellow.
- A subspecies of kingsnake called a milk snake should have its own bullet point because of how often it is found on farms. In fact, they got their name from the fact that they often went to barns to hunt mice and rats. They also like chicken eggs, so be ready if you see one hanging out near the barn.
- Bullsnakes live in Western North America. You can find them as far north as Canada and as far south as Mexico. They are called rattlesnake imposters because they look and act like their dangerous cousins. Bull snakes, on the other hand, don’t have poison and only bite people when they feel threatened. In order to make a rattling sound, they shake their tails and force air through their throats. But they will hunt chicken eggs, rodents, birds, and small reptiles.
Snakes in the hen house
A snake in the hen house can be a disaster for your flock. If you have fully grown hens, many snakes won’t be large enough to consume them, as snakes tend not to eat food that’s larger than the width of their bodies. In fact, your chickens may even attack and eat small snakes that make their way in. Guinea fowl are well known for aggression towards snakes and will mob a snake if enough of them surround it.
The real problem comes in with eggs and chicks if you have any. Egg robbers can steal dozens of eggs before you even notice and traumatize your birds.
But aside from the damage snakes can cause to your chicken coops, these reptiles are actually great to have around farms. If you can keep them out of your henhouse, they’ll feast on rats, mice, insects, and lizards instead.
Rodents are common pests around farms that can steal chicken feed and spread diseases. Rat snakes and Kingsnakes will also eat other snakes, so while they are around, they also control venomous snakes such as copperheads and rattlesnakes.
How to keep snakes out of your chicken coop, where they can eat bugs and keep your chickens and eggs safe? That’s what we’ll talk about next.
What Snakes Eat Chicken Eggs? – PetGuide360.com
FAQ
What snake is eating my chicken eggs?
Rat Snakes– This is the most common species of snake that is a nuisance to chicken keepers. In fact, in some areas, these snakes are known as chicken snakes because of their preference for eating eggs.
How do I keep snakes from eating my chicken eggs?
Cloth or netting can help keep snakes from getting into areas that they are unwelcome. There are ways to keep snakes out of your coop, chicken runs, and fences. You can use hardware cloth or fine mesh. Some people suggest bird netting, but this is a really dangerous option for wildlife.
Will a garter snake eat chicken eggs?
They are opportunistic predators and will consume a variety of foods, including eggs. Garter snakes are known to be egg eaters in the wild, and they will often raid chicken coops to feast on eggs.
What animal eats whole chicken eggs?
Snakes, rats, skunks, raccoon, even bluejays and crows, will snatch and consume chicken eggs. Crows will usually carry the shells to a nearby perch/roost to eat. Snakes will consume the eggs whole right from the nest. Skunks and raccoon will leave the shells all over the area.