4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[katyhornet]

Well not us, of course but our poor hens. It started off with a few and word has obviously spread that there is a free buffet for starlings in our garden. We have a cube and sometimes catch about 30 of the bloomin' things in there. They have ruined the winter cover too in their efforts to take off vertically and have ripped it with their beaks. Has anyone had this problem and found a way to get rid of them? I know we can shut the hens in the run but it seems unfair that they have to be cooped up. Thanks in anticipation!

[Redwing]

Someone reported that putting a 'roof' over the feerder did the trick

 

Alternatively try a treadle feeder which the chickens stand on to operate (starlings wont weight enough to open it)

[teri]

this may sound daft but a model of a large bird of prey in plain sight may work, (the same way it works for pigeons) the starlings are afraid of birds such as kestrals, owls and buzzards. you can probably get one from the net or larger garden centres. unfortunatley the also scare of other, more welcome birds

this worked for a neighbour when their allotment was invaded.

good luck

[cluckbok]

Ooh I wonder if that would help with our pesky magpies!??!

[beach chick]

I got the 'roof' idea off the Practical Poultry forum. 2 or 3 days in, we are definitely losing much less (poss even no) food to the wildies.

I'm useing an old kids' table - you know, a low one - which is prob not ideal, and the 2 feeders are a bit squashed underneath, but the chooks have found them and more important the starlings and sparrows havent! (yet...).

[Chucky Mama]

I have problems with pigeons and think that I am going to get a treadle feeder.

[katyhornet]

Thanks everyone! We will try the cover and see if that works and will also try to whittle up a paper mache eagle! We are prepared to try anything!!