What Kind of Snakes Are Stealing Your Chicken Eggs? The Ultimate Guide to Egg-Thieving Serpents

Have you ever gone to collect eggs from your chicken coop only to find fewer than expected? Before you start blaming your hens for being lazy or accusing the neighbors of egg theft, you might want to consider another culprit – snakes!

As a long-time chicken keeper myself, I’ve had my fair share of run-ins with these slithery egg thieves. Nothing’s more frustrating than watching your breakfast potential disappear down the throat of a sneaky serpent!

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share everything you need to know about the snakes that target chicken eggs, how to identify them, and most importantly – how to keep them away from your precious eggs without harming these beneficial creatures.

The Main Snake Species That Target Chicken Eggs

Not all snakes are interested in your chicken eggs. Some are strictly meat-eaters, while others have specialized diets. Let’s look at the most common egg-stealing snakes you might encounter around your chicken coop:

Rat Snakes: The Notorious Egg Thieves

Rat snakes are so commonly associated with stealing chicken eggs that they’ve earned the nickname “chicken snakes” in many regions These non-venomous climbers are probably the #1 culprit when eggs go missing

Identification Features:

• Length: Typically around 6 feet, but can reach up to 10 feet
• Colors: Vary by subspecies – black, red, brown, yellow, or gray
• Habitat: Eastern and central United States
• Behavior: Excellent climbers that can squeeze through tiny openings

Rat snakes are actually beneficial around farms since they control rodent populations However, their love for eggs often puts them at odds with chicken keepers

Kingsnakes: The Snake-Eating Egg Thieves

Kingsnakes are fascinating creatures known for eating other snakes (even venomous ones!) thanks to their immunity to venom, But they won’t pass up an easy meal of chicken eggs if given the opportunity

Identification Features:

• Distinctive red, black, and yellow striped pattern
• Often mistaken for coral snakes (remember “red on yellow, kill a fellow”)
• Non-venomous but will strike if threatened
• Diet includes rodents, birds, other snakes, and eggs

Milk Snakes: The Barn Dwellers

As a subspecies of kingsnakes, milk snakes deserve their own mention because they’re so frequently found around farms. They got their name from often being spotted in barns (though contrary to old myths, they don’t actually milk cows!).

Identification Features:

• Similar colorful banding to kingsnakes
• Commonly found in agricultural settings
• Target both rodents and eggs
• Non-venomous but may vibrate their tail when threatened

Corn Snakes: The Rodent Hunters

While corn snakes primarily target rodents, they won’t hesitate to help themselves to eggs in your chicken coop if they can gain access.

Identification Features:

• Bright orange or brownish-red with distinctive patterns
• Grow to almost six feet in length
• Slender build with round pupils
• Native to southeastern United States
• Excellent climbers that can scale trees to raid bird nests

Other Common Egg-Eating Snakes

Depending on your location, you might encounter these egg-predators as well:

• Fox Snakes: Found mainly in the Midwest, they raid nests for eggs and also eat chicks, rabbits, and frogs
• Black Racers: Fast-moving snakes that eat eggs, insects, and amphibians
• Coachwhips: Aggressive hunters known to raid nests and eat eggs
• Bull Snakes: Western North American snakes often mistaken for rattlesnakes, they shake their tails and force air through their throats to mimic rattling

How Snakes Are Specially Adapted to Eat Eggs

Ever wondered how a snake with no hands can eat something as delicate as an egg without breaking it prematurely? Egg-eating snakes have evolved some pretty remarkable adaptations:

1. Extremely Flexible Jaws

Unlike humans, snakes don’t have rigid jaw connections. Their lower jaws can spread incredibly wide, allowing them to engulf eggs much larger than their head. The flexibility comes from ligaments rather than fixed joints, giving them amazing stretching ability.

2. Specialized Throat Muscles

Once an egg is in a snake’s mouth, powerful throat muscles work to draw it deeper into the esophagus. These muscles are specifically designed to handle the awkward shape of eggs.

3. Vertebral “Egg Crackers”

Some dedicated egg-eating snakes (like the African egg-eater) have bony projections extending from their vertebrae that point into their esophagus. After swallowing an egg whole, the snake will contract these muscles, causing the egg to press against these sharp protrusions and crack.

4. Shell Disposal System

After consuming the nutritious contents, many egg-eating snakes will regurgitate the compressed shell in one piece! This is an efficient way to get rid of indigestible material without wasting energy.

How to Tell If Snakes Are Raiding Your Coop

Not sure if your missing eggs are due to snake activity? Look for these telltale signs:

• Unexplained decrease in egg production (when your hens should be laying normally)
• Empty nests with no shell fragments nearby (snakes swallow eggs whole)
• Snake skins shed near the coop or run
• Narrow entry points with disturbed dust or dirt
• Stressed chickens that seem reluctant to enter nesting boxes
• Actual snake sightings in or around the coop (most active at dawn, dusk, or night)

I once had a black rat snake that was regularly visiting my coop for weeks before I caught it in the act. The only clue was that egg numbers kept dropping despite healthy, productive hens!

Are All Snakes in Your Coop Bad News?

Not necessarily! While egg-stealing snakes are definitely unwelcome in your chicken coop, they serve important roles in the ecosystem:

Benefits of Snakes Around Your Property (Just Not IN Your Coop):

• Rodent control: Many egg-eating snakes also eat mice and rats that can spread disease
• Insect management: Some snakes consume large quantities of insects
• Venomous snake control: Kingsnakes actually eat other snakes, including venomous species
• Balance in the ecosystem: As predators, they help maintain healthy wildlife populations

Smaller snake species like garter snakes and ribbon snakes are generally harmless to your eggs – they’re too small to consume chicken eggs and primarily eat insects, small amphibians, and rodents.

Venomous vs. Non-Venomous Snakes Around Chicken Coops

When encountering any snake near your chicken coop, safety should be your priority. Here’s how to distinguish between harmful and harmless varieties:

Common Venomous Snakes in North America:

1. Rattlesnakes – Identifiable by the rattle at the tail end and triangular heads
2. Copperheads – Tan/brown with distinct “Hershey’s kiss” pattern on sides
3. Cottonmouths – Dark colored with pale white mouth, usually near water

These venomous snakes generally don’t target chicken eggs but might be drawn to your coop area if there are rodents around. If you spot one, keep your distance and call professional wildlife removal services.

7 Effective Ways to Protect Your Chicken Eggs from Snakes

Now for the part you’ve been waiting for – how to keep those slithery egg thieves away from your hens’ precious output:

1. Seal All Possible Entry Points

Snakes can squeeze through incredibly small gaps – some can fit through holes the size of a quarter! To snake-proof your coop:

• Install 1/4-inch hardware cloth (not chicken wire) around the entire coop
• Seal gaps around doors, windows, and where walls meet the floor
• Create a barrier that extends at least 6 inches underground to prevent digging
• Check regularly for new holes or damage to existing barriers

2. Collect Eggs Frequently

The longer eggs sit in nesting boxes, the more likely they’ll attract snakes. I’ve made it a habit to collect eggs 3-4 times daily, especially during warm months when snakes are most active.

3. Eliminate Hiding Places Near the Coop

Snakes love cover and will use it to approach your coop undetected:

• Keep grass short around the coop perimeter (at least 2-3 feet)
• Remove brush piles, wood stacks, and debris near the coop
• Trim overhanging branches that could provide “bridges” into the coop
• Move feed storage containers away from the coop to reduce rodent activity

4. Elevate Nesting Boxes

Making nesting boxes harder to access can discourage snake intrusions:

• Position boxes at least 18 inches off the ground
• Use smooth surfaces that snakes can’t easily climb
• Install predator-proof nest boxes with slanted tops and small entrance holes

5. Try Natural Repellents

While their effectiveness varies, some chicken keepers swear by these natural deterrents:

• Sprinkle sulfur powder around the coop perimeter
• Place mothballs in areas where snakes might enter (keep away from chickens)
• Plant snake-repellent herbs like marigold, wormwood, and lemongrass
• Use commercial snake repellents that contain natural oils

6. Add Guardian Animals

Some animals naturally deter snakes and can help protect your flock:

• Guinea fowl are known for mob-attacking snakes
• Free-ranging chickens will sometimes kill and eat small snakes
• Some dog breeds with high prey drives will chase away or kill snakes

7. Consider Predator-Proof Automatic Coop Doors

An automatic door that closes at dusk and opens at dawn can significantly reduce nighttime predator access, including nocturnal snake activity.

What NOT to Do: Harmful Snake Control Methods to Avoid

I’ve seen well-meaning chicken keepers try some pretty dangerous methods to control snakes. Please avoid these harmful approaches:

• Glue traps cause suffering and often catch beneficial animals
• Snake shot or shooting is dangerous and often illegal in residential areas
• Homemade traps frequently harm non-target wildlife
• Poison can affect the entire food chain, including your chickens
• Killing non-venomous snakes disrupts the ecosystem and may be illegal in some areas

When to Call Professional Help

Sometimes, snake problems require expert intervention:

• If you identify venomous snakes near your coop
• When you have a persistent snake problem despite prevention efforts
• If snakes are found inside your home as well as the coop
• When you’re uncomfortable handling snake encounters yourself

Wildlife removal specialists can humanely remove problem snakes and offer professional advice on preventing future issues.

Final Thoughts: Coexisting with Nature’s Egg Thieves

As frustrating as it can be to lose eggs to snakes, it’s worth remembering that these creatures play important roles in our ecosystem. The goal isn’t to eliminate snakes entirely, but to create boundaries that protect your eggs while allowing these beneficial reptiles to thrive elsewhere.

With the right prevention methods, you can dramatically reduce or eliminate egg losses while maintaining a healthy balance on your property. I’ve managed to go from losing dozens of eggs monthly to having zero snake incidents after implementing many of the techniques discussed here.

Have you dealt with snakes in your chicken coop? What methods worked best for you? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments below!

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Disclaimer: Always check local regulations regarding snake handling and removal in your area, as many species are protected by law. Never attempt to handle venomous snakes yourself.

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This article was last updated on September 12, 2025, and reflects current best practices for dealing with egg-eating snakes around chicken coops.

No, copperheads typically do not eat chicken eggs because they are not large enough to swallow them whole, but they are known to consume smaller prey like mice, insects, frogs, and small birds, which might be found in or around a chicken coop.

Yes, garter snakes can eat chicken eggs, but it’s not their preferred food and they are not regular predators of bird eggs. They are opportunistic eaters and will consume anything that fits in their mouths, so while a garter snake might eat an egg, they typically prefer live prey such as worms, slugs, and small amphibians. Other snakes, like rat snakes, are more known for eating bird eggs.