jennym Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 Hi, Does anyone have any ideas to stop the pigeons from eating us out of house and home? When our ladies free range we try to leave the run door open so they can get in to eat, drink and lay in the nest box. Unfortunately our massive infestation of pigeons this year have found the grub and waltz in and start eating whenever we go more than a few feet from the run door Of course we could just put the water outside the run and shut the door, but I would like them to be able to snack on pellets (as they sometimes like to do, even when out to FR) and, especially, get to the nest box. Any brilliant suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witzend Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 someone posted about an automatic feeder somewhere on here...........chicken stands on a pedal and lid opens.........perhaps pigeons aren't as clever?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 someone posted about an automatic feeder somewhere on here...........chicken stands on a pedal and lid opens.........perhaps pigeons aren't as clever?? I made one Thread -triggered by the weight of the bird rather than the intelligence You could try a treadle feeder of a grandpa feeder (a bit pricey) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfer_chicken Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 My chickens have scared all our pigeons off ages ago! They're still in the neighbours garden but daren't come in ours I'd suggest the treadle feeder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennym Posted July 5, 2011 Author Share Posted July 5, 2011 Thanks guys, I'll look into those ideas. Sadly our chickens don't seem to mind the pigeons. In fact when our chooks are snoozing or sunbathing in the run the pigeons settle down beside them outside the run - I think they think they are part of the flock I'm looking out the window right now at a pigeon 'chatting' to our ladies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BocBoc Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 Could you leave them cooped up for a few days so the pigeon loses interest and finds food elsewhere? Blighters!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer Jane Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 I'm looking out the window right now at a pigeon 'chatting' to our ladies. We had two wood pigeons in the run the other day. When our top hen Matilda spotted them she practically flew into the coop, cornered them and set about them quite viciously. I was worried she would kill them , but luckily DH managed to rescue them. I think they'll think twice about going in there again! Matilda then spent the next 10 minutes telling Maud all about it - "they come here, stealing our food..." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 My girls don't come out of the run very often but I usually end up with the shed door open which is where their food is stored. I've quite often found pigeons in there!! Cookie usually does a really good job of scaring them off. I could lend her to you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
migsy Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 We get collared doves in the garden when the hens are inside their run. I love seeing the chickens chase the magpies though! The Black Rock chased my Tom Cat the other day too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennym Posted July 6, 2011 Author Share Posted July 6, 2011 I love seeing the chickens chase the magpies though! The Black Rock chased my Tom Cat the other day too! Cookie usually does a really good job of scaring them off. I could lend her to you When our top hen Matilda spotted them she practically flew into the coop, cornered them and set about them quite viciously Well, apparently I have very laid-back chooks, they really don't seem to mind anything. Pigeons, magpies, whatever - they all seem to be welcome to join the flock Some of the pigeons snuggle down and nap/sunbathe/dustbathe right beside the run when mine are in there I also don't think I have much of a pecking order. There was a bit of puffing up and dancing when I got them but nothing really, and there are no major squabbles over food, treats etc. They all just try to barge each other out of the way. Looks like I need myself a top-hen! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
