Chickens are vulnerable animals, and unfortunately, their cozy coops attract uninvited guests—especially snakes. If you’re noticing missing eggs, frightened hens, or slithery visitors, it’s time to take action. This article will teach you how to keep snakes out of your chicken house using practical, proven strategies.
Whether you’re in the suburbs or deep in the countryside, this guide blends expert insight with actionable solutions. With the right prevention methods in place, you can safeguard your flock and eliminate your snake worries for good.
Understanding Why Snakes Enter Chicken Houses
Snakes don’t invade chicken coops out of malice. They’re simply in search of:
- Food: Eggs and rodents are top attractions.
- Shelter: Coops provide warmth and darkness.
- Moisture and nesting sites: Especially in dry seasons.
Understanding their motivation helps you target prevention efforts effectively.
Types of Snakes Commonly Found in Coops
Non-Venomous:
- Rat snakes: Eat eggs and chicks, very common.
- Gopher snakes: Harmless but persistent.
Venomous:
- Copperheads
- Rattlesnakes
- Water moccasins (in the southern U.S.)
While many snakes are harmless, any snake in your coop is a threat to your chickens or eggs.
Signs of Snake Activity in Chicken Coops
Don’t wait until you see a snake to act. Watch for these signs:
- Missing eggs or chicks
- Disturbed nesting boxes
- Snake skins or droppings
- Panicked or missing hens
- Hole or gap in coop wire
Regular inspections help you catch the problem early.
Eliminate Snake Food Sources
Snakes follow their stomachs. The best way to keep them away?
Get rid of rodents:
- Store feed in metal bins.
- Remove spilled grain daily.
- Use traps around the outside of the coop.
Protect eggs:
- Collect eggs at least twice daily.
- Don’t leave broken shells in or around the coop.
Less food means less reason for snakes to stop by.
Secure All Openings and Cracks
Snakes can squeeze through holes as small as ½ inch.
Steps to seal the coop:
- Inspect floors, corners, vents, and doors.
- Use ¼-inch hardware cloth (not chicken wire).
- Add weather stripping to doors.
- Secure ventilation openings with mesh screens.
It’s worth crawling around your coop during setup to seal every potential entry point.
Raise the Chicken House Off the Ground
Keeping your coop elevated:
- Eliminates cool hiding spots
- Makes snakes easier to spot
- Prevents burrowing underneath
Use cinder blocks, treated wood stilts, or a solid concrete foundation at least 12–18 inches off the ground.
Use Hardware Cloth Instead of Chicken Wire
Chicken wire is for chickens, not predators. Most snakes (and rodents) can easily slip through.
Why is hardware cloth better?
- Smaller openings (¼ inch)
- Stronger and chew-resistant
- Works for both walls and floor
Secure it with staples and washers so it doesn’t loosen over time.
Clear Brush, Woodpiles, and Tall Grass
Snakes are ambush predators — they love overgrown environments.
Snake-attracting environments:
- Tall grass around the coop
- Wood or compost piles
- Rocks and stacked bricks
- Clutter under porches
Create a 3–5 foot snake-free perimeter around your chicken house by trimming and cleaning up.
Install a Snake-Proof Coop Skirt
To stop burrowing snakes:
- Dig a trench 12–18 inches deep around the coop perimeter.
- Line it with hardware cloth bent in an L-shape.
- Bury it and secure with dirt and gravel.
This underground “skirt” prevents snakes from sneaking in below ground.
Use Natural Snake Deterrents
Chemical snake repellents aren’t always safe near poultry, but natural ones work too.
Popular natural options:
- Sulfur powder around the coop perimeter
- Garlic spray (boil garlic in water and spray)
- Essential oils like clove, cinnamon, and cedarwood
- Mothballs (only outside the coop, never inside)
These smells deter snakes without harming chickens.
Add Predator Decoys or Guinea Fowl
Snakes are cautious by nature. A fake owl, hawk decoy, or even guinea fowl can scare them off.
- Place decoys high, near the coop entrance.
- Move them weekly to maintain effectiveness.
- Consider adding guinea fowl as natural alarms — they make noise when snakes are near!
Set Up Motion Sensor Lights
Snakes are shy and avoid well-lit areas.
Install:
- Solar-powered lights near coop entrances
- Motion-sensor spotlights to startle movement
- Lights on a timer for night-time coverage
Bonus: These lights deter raccoons, foxes, and rodents, too.
Keep Coop Area Clean and Egg-Free
A clean coop is a snake-unfriendly coop.
Best practices:
- Clean droppings and leftover feed daily.
- Remove broken or uncollected eggs.
- Clean nesting boxes weekly.
- Keep bedding dry and unsoiled.
Routine care discourages snakes and keeps chickens healthy.
FAQs
1. Can snakes kill chickens?
Yes, especially smaller or young birds. Larger snakes may constrict or swallow chicks whole.
2. What smells do snakes hate?
Sulfur, garlic, clove oil, cinnamon, and vinegar are common snake repellents.
3. How do I keep snakes from laying eggs under my coop?
Raise the coop and install a hardware cloth skirt. Also, clear brush and debris to eliminate hiding spots.
4. Can I use mothballs to repel snakes in my coop?
Only outside the coop. Mothballs are toxic to chickens if ingested or inhaled in enclosed spaces.
5. Do chickens alert you if a snake is nearby?
Yes! Chickens may squawk loudly, stop laying, or crowd into corners if they sense a predator like a snake.
6. What’s the best long-term solution?
A combination of physical barriers (like hardware cloth), regular cleaning, and habitat management is most effective.
Conclusion
Keeping snakes out of your chicken house doesn’t require magic — just smart planning and consistent care. From sealing entry points to using natural deterrents, these 13 tactics offer a safe and effective defense against unwanted reptiles.
