A massive 13ft python that feasted on a farmer's chickens was caught in his coop in Thailand.

The ravenous beast had entered the building in Phayao province and swallowed four of the fowl before it was discovered by Patcharapol Kruateja, 45, early morning on September 29.

The alarmed resident called the local wildlife rescue team when he saw the size of the sinister predator lurking near the coop's rafters while digesting its meal.

Snake catchers later arrived, but had trouble disposing of the python because of its weight and grip on the wooden beams.

The team spent 20 minutes prodding and pulling at the serpent before they finally uncoiled it from its perch. It was hauled into a sack, then released away from the residential area.

Shaken resident Patcharapol said: 'I heard the chickens making a commotion early in the morning, so I went to investigate. I couldn't find anything on the ground, but when I turned my flashlight to the ceiling, I was shocked to see the snake there.'

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.