Destructive House Wrens!

[Alexandra33]

Thank you @Alexandra33 for that more detailed response. I didn't have time to go into it as deeply at the moment. I agree with you wholeheartedly. I don't believe the troublemakers are wrens at all, but we'll see if the OP posts back.

You're more than welcome!

I suppose anything is possible, but this behavior doesn't seem consistent with that of wrens. A response from the OP is greatly anticipated.

~Alex

 

[ColtHandorf]

I suppose anything is possible, but this behavior doesn't seem consistent with that of wrens.

Agreed. I could see them harvesting white feathers from molts but I don't think I recall ever having wrens pester my chickens. In fact I've never had much of an issue with wild birds interfering with my chickens. I've always had multiple feeding stations up for them. I could see House Sparrows, European Starlings, and possible American Crows being pests.

 

[Alexandra33]

Agreed. I could see them harvesting white feathers from molts but I don't think I recall ever having wrens pester my chickens. In fact I've never had much of an issue with wild birds interfering with my chickens. I've always had multiple feeding stations up for them. I could see House Sparrows, European Starlings, and possible American Crows being pests.

Yes, that scenario certainly makes sense.

I wish I could say the same.....it's not uncommon to find House Sparrows demolishing chicken feed alongside my flock (or taking up coop space) in droves. The little thieves. While I'd love to set up feeders, I fear fueling "junk birds." If only there was a way to exclude them.

~Alex

 

[ColtHandorf]

I wish I could say the same.....it's not uncommon to find House Sparrows demolishing chicken feed alongside my flock (or taking up coop space) in droves.

Wretched little creatures. They seem to be more common in urban than rural environments, so maybe that helps.

While I'd love to set up feeders, I fear fueling "junk birds." If only there was a way to exclude them.

There are ways, some more effective than others. Sometimes it can be done by offering seed types that the Sparrows won't eat. Because they are a larger birds, sometimes feeders that are inside cages prevent them from enjoying the feed as well. I find offering a variety of feed and seeds, plus multiple feeding stations as well as different types of feeders help a lot. I usually had hoppers, tubes, platform (hanging, mounted, and ground), suet cages, a squirrel feeder, etc. The main feeding station was in the two live oaks outside the windows on the front porch with the lake behind them. The squirrel feeder was down the hill on a large oak. There was an old stump to the south of the house were I put out cracked corn and other "trash" seed for the doves, squirrels, crows, and turkeys. Other feeding stations were scattered around the house at varying distances from the woods, as well as different heights to appeal to different species. There were also multiple water features and plantings to make them feel safer. I'd offer breads, fruits and berries frozen during the spring, summer, and fall, to be put out during the winter, suet, several seed mixes, etc. They mostly left the chickens alone.

You might enjoy this book:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/256463.The_Backyard_Bird_Feeder_s_Bible

I read the older edition with the male Northern Cardinal on it from cover to cover several times and thoroughly enjoyed it.

 

[Al Gerhart]

A treadle feeder with a spring loaded door and a narrow and distant treadle will solve the problem. Once you remove the buffet you have unintentionally been setting out the birds will be forced to work for their dinner by foraging and will not have the time to loiter around. Head over to the Feeding and Watering Your Flock forum page here on BYC and you will find treadle feeders discussed or do a general forum search for rat proof chicken feeder and that usually leads to the best discussions.