This is the gruesome moment a python regurgitated a farmer's chickens after breaking into their pen.

The fearsome predator swalloed the hen and a rooster then spat them back out in a last-ditch attempt to escape wildlife rangers in Saraburi province, Thailand, on October 25.

Nauseating footage shows how the serpent extended its jaws to eject the pair of lifeless fowl from its belly.

It then tried to slither past the rescue team, who were quick to pin it down before it could flee.

Devastated farmer Nattapon Morabut, 69, said: 'This morning, I came to check on my chickens and I was shocked after witnessing the snake strangling them to death.

'It's horrible. I had ten chickens in total, and now these two that I've had since they were babies are gone.

'My birds are generally sold as gamecocks.'

Despite his losses, Nattapon added that he could rest easy knowing the python had been caught.

The creature was later released into its natural habitat, far from villagers' homes.

The reticulated python is found throughout Southeast Asia, where they live in forests, swamps, canals and even in cities, causing them to come into conflict with humans. The species is one of the world's largest snakes and can eat humans, cats, dogs, birds, rats and other snakes.