Chicken bald back

[mad_hen_lady]

Squirrels have been getting into the Eglu during the day (checking for eggs?) and this morning I have found that they have nibbled through the back of the 2 little hooks which secure the Grub holder. Presumably so they can help themselves to the mash when the girls are locked in ( they free-range 6am until about 5pm at this time of year).

 

Any suggestions as to how to deter squirrels would be gratefully received. Both my chooks have recently stopped laying and maybe it is due to the squirrel problem which is no doubt freaking them out! Have ordered a new Grub holder but there is nothing to say this won't happen every time.

 

Very troubling.....

[Scary Mary]

Crushed Chilli in the feed works wonders, the chickens can't taste it but the squirrels detest it. The eggs are not affected by the chilli either.

[Alex_LJZ]

Squirrels are quite terratorial so it is likely that one family group have worked out how to steal food. in my experiance if you get rid of the offenders, it will takle a while for others to learn the same tricks. Squirrels are quite damaging, not only have they kelled off most of the red squirrels but they also specialise in eating eggs and baby birds so they have a big impact on bird populations. They are also big fans of eating wiring if they get into your loft space. Personally, my approach is to take reasonable precautions to keep squirrels away from my chickens and form wild bird feeders - but if they work out how to get in anyway and start causing damage I take action of the permanent type.

 

Squirrel cage traps work very well, they catch them live and you can either dispatch them in a humane manner or release them some distance away. You can also catch them in rat traps baited with peanut butter. You need to trap where the chickens can't get to the traps. there are lots of ways to do this and I can give you some ideas if you want to use this method.

[Beantree]

I treat squirrels in the same manner as rats. They are the same family and just as destructive.

 

Humane traps are OK, but if the squirrel is despatched it must be in a humane way. Few years ago a man was prosecuted for drowning one in a case bought by the RSPCA. That's when I stopped donating.

[Alex_LJZ]

I treat squirrels in the same manner as rats. They are the same family and just as destructive.

 

Humane traps are OK, but if the squirrel is despatched it must be in a humane way. Few years ago a man was prosecuted for drowning one in a case bought by the RSPCA. That's when I stopped donating.

 

Gosh, didn't know this. Obviously (for anyone reading) I would never do it, but I have heard they take only a few seconds to die. I can't think a more humane way, especially if you check the trap regularly and cover it with a blanket to move it. They move around too much in the cage to do anything else. Also, as I believe they are listed as a pest species it is illegal to release them to the wild.

[redbug]

Think you have to have a special licence to release them

[Egluntyne]

Some information here Click.

[soapdragon]

I detest the grey variety - they are so destructive and have decimated the native reds and other wildlife. Vermin.

[Louise]

Yes you need a licence to keep greys alive once trapped and like rats it is illegal to release them once you have trapped them. They are not easy to dispatch and they have huge claws when you get up close to them which is not recommended. Don't forget the rodent teeth either . They are often hooching with fleas too

 

Not a creature I am terribly fond off