Help with unwanted birds in the chicken coop

Help Support Steer Planet:

box6rranch

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 11, 2008
Messages
604
Location
Larkspur, CO
Ugh! We have these very unwanted sparrows in our chicken coop. They take over and eat all the food and water. It's like a scene out of the Bird's movie. I've kicked them out, put up netting but they still get through. I even hung a fake owl in there but all it did was scare the chickens. The only thing I can do is totally close up the coop but then the chickens can't come out or get any fresh air. Any suggestions????
 

olsun

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 17, 2008
Messages
434
I have a shorty Jack Russell named Annie that would love that situation. She follows me when Ido chores, just in case I might move something with a mouse under it, or find a bird trapped in a small shed. She was born with mayhem in her heart. She can't help it ;D ;D
 

LazyGLowlines

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 7, 2008
Messages
533
I have covered runs for all my chickens so I don't have to worry about predators, plus they get fresh air all the time.  I don't have a problem with other birds eating their food, though we've got ALOT of crows eating the cattle's grain.  Guess if the cattle don't eat fast enough the grain is fair game.
 

herefordfootball

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 10, 2009
Messages
1,912
Location
Northern, Indiana
We use to have the same problem. We dont have the chickens anymore, but when we did we found out that a good cat would take care of the sparrows and leave the chickens and chicks alone. I also use to shoot alot of them with a pellet gun in free time and they eventually stopped coming around. Best of luck!!!! :)
 

box6rranch

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 11, 2008
Messages
604
Location
Larkspur, CO
The coop was built inside of a chain link fence area so the dogs and cats can't get in and the chickens can't get out. I think my dogs would try and kill the chickens anyway. The sparrows have found the inside of the coop to be very hospitable, warm and cozy. I open the door to the 6 x 8 coop and literally 50 plus birds are just sitting in there. Ugh I hate them, they make the biggest mess. Poor chickens are too old to lay anymore, just waiting for them to pass naturally and we are not replacing them!!! So much easier...............
 

knabe

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 7, 2007
Messages
13,639
Location
Hollister, CA
box6rranch said:
The coop was built inside of a chain link fence area so the dogs and cats can't get in and the chickens can't get out. I think my dogs would try and kill the chickens anyway. The sparrows have found the inside of the coop to be very hospitable, warm and cozy. I open the door to the 6 x 8 coop and literally 50 plus birds are just sitting in there. Ugh I hate them, they make the biggest mess. Poor chickens are too old to lay anymore, just waiting for them to pass naturally and we are not replacing them!!! So much easier...............

dogs can be trained to not kill the chickens and if they have any herding, will herd them.  if they are english sparrows, they are probably fair game as far as killing them as they are an invasive pest. 
what i do, is let the chickens out after they feed in the am and close up coop and food.  all i have is mice now which i'm working on.
 

GoWyo

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 29, 2008
Messages
1,691
Location
Wyoming
GC said:
BB gun! and a 10 year old! haha good memories

Great memories here too.  Spent hours out at the barn with the old Daisy feeding the cats all day.  Now the left wing weenies would try to send you to counseling for it. :eek:
 

MotoMojo09

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 26, 2009
Messages
101
haha I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM!!!!
LOL
I am thinking of getting my bb gun out lol
But my coop isn't finished yet though so I still need to put chicken wire up and then maybe double layer the chicken wire.
 
Top