Snake near coop, what kind is it and is it safe to let them out?

[la dee da]

Well, today I went out to the coop to let the chickens out when I noticed a snake right by the coop. I've no idea what kind it is, though I doubt it's poisonous. It's about a foot and a half long and it didn't move when I was taking pictures. I don't know if it's safe to let the chickens out. I don't want the four hens and rooster to kill the snake if it's non venumous and I'm concerned about the snake eating the chicks. The chicks are quite big now, I got them at the end of March so they're a good 10 weeks but I still don't want anything happening to them.
ETA: I forgot to mention that I live in Virginia, if that helps.

Sorry about the blurryness of the photos, I had to resize them on paint.

 

[madamwlf]

Looks like a young rat snake. If your chickens are full grown, doubt he would hurt them. I'd be more worried about what the chickens would do to the snake.

 

[madamwlf]

Find a large stick to help shoo it away with.

 

[MadMadamMim]

It looks like a gopher snake but I can't see the head very clearly so I'm not sure.

 

[la dee da]

My sister's fiancee came over and identified it for me as a grass snake (he thinks the technical name is garter snake). Completely harmless to my chicks and big enough to get away from my hens.

 

[devora]

Well, that snake had better look out or he might be some chicken's dinner.

 

[florida lee]

he may be hanging around the coop looking for mice. I don't mind snakes around (non poison ones), they keep the rat and mouse population down.

 

[mulewagon]

Just watch out for the larger snakes when you have young chicks - they can eat an amazing number of eggs and chicks, and will keep coming back!

 

[PeepsAreForMe]

That thing looks longer than 1.5'!!!

 

[Kev]

garter snake