Westie Posted December 30, 2007 Share Posted December 30, 2007 Hi All While the girls are freeranging the local squirrels are ambushing the girls grub - any thoughts on how to cut down on the food bill? Obviously, the girls need to be able to go home when they want to - just in case anyone is worried, we do keep an eye on them in case of you know who, but squirrels! Look forward to hearing from you all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted December 30, 2007 Share Posted December 30, 2007 Afraid I don't have the answer, but I do have the same difficulty! I can't work out yet how to have the door open for the hens but not the squirrels. I'm finding it quite a problem. Even with the chickens shut in hen garden (purpose built run) the squirrels were coming into it at dawn through an old rat hole! I had left the hole as I wanted to make sure all the rats had gone, and it's easier if you know their regular run. I assumed the rat infestation was massive until I realised that the rats were long gone and a squirrel was taking advantage of the access! It's be easy the other way round; a squirrel would work out a push button entry system, whereas a hen, er, wouldn't! Let's try & think of something! It's more annoying than others may realise! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jomaxsmith Posted December 30, 2007 Share Posted December 30, 2007 Are your hens fed on pellets? Possibly if you swapped to mash this would be less attractive to squirrels as it's harder to eat in a hurry! What about something unpleasant you could put on the food that would repel teh squirrels but not the hens - poultry spice maybe? Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 30, 2007 Share Posted December 30, 2007 How about putting something out for the squirrels that they would prefer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iChicken Posted December 30, 2007 Share Posted December 30, 2007 Have you thought of closing the run door and leaving the egg hatch off (providing you have an Eglu). Mine are happy to hop in and out the egg door. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperman Posted December 31, 2007 Share Posted December 31, 2007 Well good luck as this is what you are up against! http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=nWU0bfo-bSY I seem to recall they are quite partial to Carling Black Label! Kev. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iChicken Posted December 31, 2007 Share Posted December 31, 2007 LOL Fantastic! If that's what you are up against I'd give up now and let them have the food. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted December 31, 2007 Share Posted December 31, 2007 I wonder why the squirrel didn't start part way along the obstacle course? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperman Posted December 31, 2007 Share Posted December 31, 2007 I wonder why the squirrel didn't start part way along the obstacle course? If I remember rightly they put baffles on all but one of the posts to stop them cheating! Kev. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westie Posted December 31, 2007 Author Share Posted December 31, 2007 Many thanks all, I'm glad I'm not the only one with the problem. Using mash may be a thought although I suspect they may just stuff their cheeks and cart it off to have diner chez treetops. But its worth a try! Wild bird food can be spiked with chilli to try and put the liitle horrors off. I'll be more liberal with the poultry spice and see what happens. In the meantime - please keep the ideas flowing. My husband has just informed me that the woodpigeons have now started inviting themselves for diner! It was great to see the squirrel obstacle course again! Westie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waders Posted January 1, 2008 Share Posted January 1, 2008 Hi, I'm surprised your girls don't see them off! My girls are very territorial, they see off any pigeons that attempt to enter the garden. Haven't seen any squirrels yet but they are often in my large beech tree. It's lovely seeing poor old Minnie (bottom of the pecking order) getting her own back chasing the pigeons! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 1, 2008 Share Posted January 1, 2008 If I had squirrels I would treat them the same as rats and put down some sort of poison. Sorry if it sounds harsh but after Mum had some move into her loft a couple of years ago its opened my eyes to how they are vermin with fluffy tails. She didn't want to kill them - spent hundreds trying to get rid of them and rentokil did it in one visit. I wouldn't want to encourage them anywhere near my home. They aren't even natives - these grey insurgents have driven out our native red squirrels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susanbb Posted January 1, 2008 Share Posted January 1, 2008 If I had squirrels I would treat them the same as rats and put down some sort of poison. Sorry if it sounds harsh but after Mum had some move into her loft a couple of years ago its opened my eyes to how they are vermin with fluffy tails. She didn't want to kill them - spent hundreds trying to get rid of them and rentokil did it in one visit. I wouldn't want to encourage them anywhere near my home. They aren't even natives - these grey insurgents have driven out our native red squirrels. I'm with you. I frequently put down bags of bait and also have bait stations. Can't bear what the grey squirrel has done to our domestic red one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 Funny after adding the post I mentioned it to Mum and she said she was pleased we hadn't seen a squirrel since we lived here. She also said that if they were eating the chooks food she would be keeping the chooks in their run so we could put down bait for the squirrels. She totally doesn't want them near our property. Now we think we may have seen a rat - but she hasn't talked about keeping the chooks in for that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 The only time we have ever had a proble with squirrels was when we were on holiday. The chicken sitter said she kept seeing one in the Grub,but since we (& the dog) came home we have had no sightings at all. I love squirrels - one of my most favourite creatures Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lozkate Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 You have Wood Pigeons AND Squirrels? what a fantastic source of very tasty protein your chucks are giving you!! I appreciate that its not everyones lifestyle choice but me and my boys have enjoyed squirrel (dealt with in much the same way as rabbit - just a bit fiddlier). For sure, once you've eaten it it won't be back. It's mates may well be and with over 5 million greys and over 20 million wood pigeons to go at a change of mind might prove an interesting twist for those who can deal with despatching their own meat source - all very Hugh F-W. If anyone would like instructions/recipes for squirrel/woody let me know. Loz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
