Birds in chciken house

[har]

Anybody have any ideas on keeping starlings out of my chicken house. I open the pop door to let the chickens out to free range and the starlings go in and make a big mess. I am at a loss what to do. I want my chickens to free range but don't want the birds in there for the threat of sickness and etc.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

I had a problem with doves and sparrows getting into the coop. I first made a curtain with strips of shade cloth that hung down over the pop door opening. That eliminated the doves, but the sparrows kept worming their way through. I don't know if the curtain I made would keep starlings out or if they'd be more like the sparrows. I've seen other byc'ers make them from vinyl, which seems to make a better barrier than what I used and I'll bet that would keep them all out. Removing the food was ultimately the best thing I did to reduce the numbers, but I know that is not always an option for some. You can see my byc page for greater detail on how to implement such a door and other things I did to wild bird proof my coop. Good luck!

 

[The Chicken People]

I have been having the same problem! Twice my Roo and his 14 hens wont go into the coop because a bird is in there!

 

[swimmer]

I was having the same problem a few weeks ago. I like to leave to pop door open so the girls can go in and out to lay and eat. For a few days I had to put the food away while the door was open. Once the starlings realized the food supply was gone, they went away. I also shot a couple with a bb gun. That is not always an option, but both things seemed to work for me.

 

[sweety tweety]

i put a fake owel on top of the coop it seemed to help some but i agree food removal works best

 

[treehugger777]

I have a good idea for you! This is what we have on our henhouse... get a large doggie or cat door. install it and show your chickens how it works, eventually they will go in and out on their own, and it will keep out other pests, and even most bugs! The cat door we got has locking options also, so you can lock it all ways or one way.

http://www.petco.com/product/105075/PetSafe-Big-Cat-Cat-Flap.aspx?CoreCat=OnSiteSearch