Experience using caye ne pepper in food to deter squirrels?

[Boise-girls]

Has anyone used cayenne pepper to keep squirrels from eating the chickens' food? I like to leave the hens' pen door open while they're free-ranging so they can come back in to eat, and the squirrels are chowing down!
If you have or do use it, how much do you use? Do you sprinkle it on top or mix it in? Thanks for any advice!

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I haven't tried that but I find a good cat does the job nicely

 

[sawmane1]

I am not sure about the exact dosage, but it does take quite a lot and you will want to mix it in. Also, you may want to consider keeping your squirrels in cages instead of free ranging them!

 

[Boise-girls]

I am not sure about the exact dosage, but it does take quite a lot and you will want to mix it in. Also, you may want to consider keeping your squirrels in cages instead of free ranging them!

Too many pronouns!

 

[Banana01]

Doubtful it is nothing more than a gimmick squirrels will figure out quickly how to still eat around it.

 

[HumbleAmerican]

I use a squirrelenator live trap. Catches multiples.

Digger/ground squirrels get buried. Grey squirrels get put next to the potatoes then smothered in gravy.

 

[Boise-girls]

Doubtful it is nothing more than a gimmick squirrels will figure out quickly how to still eat around it.

That's certainly consistent with what I know about the little buggers!

 

[Boise-girls]

I haven't tried that but I find a good cat does the job nicely

There are several cats around, but they're more interested in the wild birds than the squirrels. My dog will chase off both cats and squirrels, but I wouldn't trust her with the chickens. (They have a separate yard she can't access.)

Guess I'll have to keep thinking! Fortunately, the squirrels aren't a problem when the pen is shut.

 

[Boise-girls]

I use a squirrelenator live trap. Catches multiples.

Digger/ground squirrels get buried. Grey squirrels get put next to the potatoes then smothered in gravy.

Ick! Probably no different than eating rabbit, but not something I grew up with in Wyoming. (Although we ate antelope, deer, elk, rabbit, etc.) "My" squirrels certainly have a lot of meat on their bones, though!

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

The best approach might be to make a mash with feed, pepper powder, and water. That way, there’s no “eating around the hot stuff”.