This morning, as I got dressed, I heard my hen Pondet making the "come here chickie" call insistently. I knew right away something was wrong. I went out there and one of her two 19-day-old chicks, Sprout, was simply gone. I think the black rat snake must have got her. She was getting so big but the snake must have got her while they were sleeping in the nest box on the ground. I am upset beyond words and have cried a river. I'm petrified that the other baby, Speckles, will also be taken. I'm going to move the chickens around, hopefully so he's in a safer place. It's so not fair. Sprouty was so cute and sweet. I feel so guilty that I wasn't there to protect them. My family and coworkers think it's nothing, just a "stupid chicken." Well, to me, they are my grandkids. I was the only human to ever touch or love Sprouty. I hope she didn't suffer. Kisses sweetheart. I'm so sorry.

Very sorry to hear about your loss. Its always hard to lose a pet, no matter how what type of animal, be it, turtle, dog, cat, fish or chicken or whatever you may have.

I'm sorry to hear about the loss of Sprouty. :(

I you sure it was a snake? Not a raccoon or a rat?

Raccoons can't get into the cage. I've only seen one rat (a brown field rat) in 30 years here. When I went out, Pondet was screaming for her baby. The wild songbirds were giving their snake call. Eggs had vanished previous to this as well. We have a ton of black rat snakes. This year, I'm collecting all her eggs as we can't fit any more roosters. Besides, her son Speckles is the one fertilizing his mother's eggs! His dad doesn't seem to mind. We don't need any inbred chicks.

im sorry to hear that i have heard that if you put something that has a dog or cat scent ( such as used cat litter) around pens the snakes wont come near it we have a friend that gets the poop out of her used litter then puts it aroud her pen and says she has never had rats or snakes come near her pen. we havent tried it but she swears by it

Oh Robyn, I am so sorry about Sprout!! I know you are heart broken and I would be too. You love him and I understand!!! I am so, so sorry!! I hope you can find a way to keep the snakes out. Oh, I don't like snakes at all!! There has just got to be a way to keep them out!! Let us know if you solve the problem. I am so sorry!!
Ellen