Are cats good Snake killers?

[Kitdragon2000]

Ok,

So i like snakes, dont have anything agenst them, but we are planing to move to some property soon, and that is one thing i am worrying about, i was really thinking of adopting some barn cats to take care of any rodents, and (hopefully) snakes. if cats arnt good what are decent Animals for snake killing? I refuse to use any types of poison, i have treated to many rat / snail poisens for my lifetime, i no longer like / care / will ever use man made poison, hence the animal deterant, killer.

Sorry if i ramble, its late is my only excuse x.x

 

[secuono]

If you keep the grass low where you don't want them around, it helps.
My two cats have even quit going after mice....But my chickens have stepped up and now catch mice and moles all the time.
I hear Guinea can kill them.

 

[Goatherd]

I hear Guinea can kill them.

You're right. French Guineas are the best killers of snakes, although all guineas will do their best to destroy them. They work as a group to do it.

 

[HankTheTank]

It depends on the cat. My cat is a great hunter and gets quite a few snakes, but the others can barely catch a mouse. If you're adopting one ( good for you!!) then maybe the shelter has one who they know is a good hunter.

 

[boykin2010]

My turkeys kill snakes. I have heard all turkeys are great snake killers though. Mine are royal palms

 

[Kitdragon2000]

yeah there is a program around here that ferals or semi ferals are placed in barns, and land properties so they get taken care of, and are not horrible stressed
I have heard that guienia's kill snakes, but i have also heard they are stupid? are the french ones the same personality aswell? what all is diffrent between a french guinea and a normal?

Thank you for replying!! Really appreciate it!

@boykin2010 Havent heard about the turkeys!! Thats great, are the royal palms smart?

 

[HankTheTank]

*This is my personal opinion and please please please no one get mad at me*
Guineas are not bright. At one of the farms I work at, there are about 100 of them, and if you're driving a mower or the Mule or whatever they will run out in front of it. They THROW themselves at you. On one of the mowers, there are two wheels that sort of stick out in front of it- if one of them gets between those, no matter how far in front it is- they apparently can't get out from between them. Every single vehicle that enters that farm, THEY HAVE TO RUN UNDER. Also, they are really really obnoxiously loud (then again, there are 100 of them) That being said, they do eat ticks and things. I personally don't like them, but that shouldn't stop you from getting them if you want.

ETA: No, they're not really dumb, it's just frustrating when they hurl themselves at you

 

[spunkey daisy]

My cats will eat snakes as long as they Are not biting snakes:/

 

[Goatherd]

I have heard that guienia's kill snakes, but i have also heard they are stupid? are the french ones the same personality aswell? what all is diffrent between a french guinea and a normal?

The difference between the French and standard guinea is namely size. Also, they only come in the pearl mutation and no other colors. They lay a larger egg and are known to be better natural brooders and mothers.
Regarding "stupidity" of the guinea, I have a very strong opinion about this as well as any other fowl. So many labels placed upon fowl are a result of people not being able to understand the dynamics and instincts of said birds. If you take the time to observe them closely and see the motive behind the activity, you might have a different opinion when it comes to intelligence. People tend to apply stigmas to birds and animals as they would another human being. This is ludicrous as fowl and animals do not think or relate to human behavior as it is not inherent in their biological make up. If animals were as stupid (and I never use this term to describe any animal) they would have made their species nonexistent or extinct should they not be able to think or reason.
One problem with guineas is that many are penned and not free-ranged which enables neurotic and unnatural behaviors. Seeing them in a natural environment doing what they instinctively know to do would probably change your mind.
If you've never seen a flock of guineas "working" a field you would be impressed given the opportunity. They line themselves up in a row and go back and forth, similar to a typewriter, looking for insects and other natural foods.
They defend their flock and alert themselves and other fowl to suspicious behavior. Humans benefit from this behavior and that is how they have earned the reputation of being a guardian of their property and environment.
Guineas are excellent mothers but are unable to prove it living in environments foreign to them. To be more exact, guineas come from the arid country of Africa and they hatch their chicks during the dry season. This is an important fact to remember as guineas who live in areas where rain and even heavy dew is common, have a very difficult time keeping their hatches alive. Moisture, water, rain, etc. are the kiss of death for a young guinea chick. Mother guineas lay their eggs usually in tall grasses or brush piles. When they start to move their chicks and let's say the grass is loaded with dew in the morning, the chick succumbs to this moisture and usually develops pneumonia and dies. That is one of the prime reasons guineas have the reputation of being poor moms, when in fact they are not. Female guineas will lay their eggs in a communal nest and share incubation of the eggs. They also guard the chicks with groups of adults rather than a single hen.
I could go on and on but hope you can understand that guineas are not dumb, stupid or whatever label you chose to put on them. If you can relate to them, you will understand their natural behaviors.

 

[HankTheTank]

Sorry I called them dumb As I said, it's just frustrating when you're trying to mow and all 100 of them are right there in front of you, not moving for love or money