Anyone have to manage starlings?

[dustponds10]

Well i am in an area where I am unfortunatly having to think about managing flocks that i really dont want to feed. Do any of you all have to do this? If so please let me know how you are doing it. I would love to trap them and use some for fly tying but I am unsure if it is legal and if it would be a smart thing to do. I am really just looking to get rid of them so that I dont have them eating all my food. Any ideas would be awesome.

 

[snowflake]

don't have that problem but maybe you could keep the feed in the coop? I don't think the birds would go in after it. your chickens may chase them out.

 

[andalusn]

The wild birds that can fit through the wire mesh of my pens take what they want and poop on stuff I'd rather they didn't. Not their fault, just the thought did not occur to me when we built the pen. Mesh looks small to me

Anyway, the feeder inside the coop stays isolated and pristine. Where I put down scratch outside for all to take the chickens eat what they want and the squirrels and wild birds help clean up.

 

[woodmort]

An air rifle works great. Starlings and "English sparrows" , since they are a foreign, invasive species, are two of the few birds that can be shot year 'round in any numbers--rock dove aka street pigeons are another. Other than that you need to feed inside until they get the idea and leave.

 

[dustponds10]

Ok thanks all I appericate it. I do feed inside its just the whole farm yard thing that brings them around and is very inviting for them. So I think I am going to make a spring net somehow so that I can catch them by the flock if I happen to be around when they are here anyways thanks again.

 

[RThomas]

My son and his high-powered pellet gun do a pretty good job of keeping the starlings in check.

Also make sure the birds have no where to nest. Starlings like to nest in holes. So old trees, barns, and just about anywhere they can squeeze into they'll use as a nest. Which is why you'll see an increase in starling activity in the spring.

 

[fishnet1971]

believe it or not peanut butter in a wooden log drilled out with holes and hung up high attracts them ALL at once to another area. I but the super cheap peanut butter for a dollar and mix it with super cheap bird seed. stuff it into the holes of a 3 inch round log hollowed out and hang it 400 feet away from my coop. they dont come near me. takes them at least 2 days to get the stuff out and then...... well you know what peanut butter does. Its funny to watch them. I do put a birdbath below it so they can drink and wash it down.

 

[dustponds10]

Thats a great idea and it would be perfect to catch some and skin them out for fly tying. Imight have to try that to get a few. Great idea

 

[NYREDS]

Quote:
That's how I manage Starlings as well. I recommend a Crossman pump type pellt rifle. Works great.

 

[WallTenters]

Deer netting can keep them out if it's just in the run that you're having a problem. Way cheaper per sq ft than chicken wire, and doesn't scratch you all up