floor covering that is safe and general help on getting rid of pigeons

[whoop whoop]

Hi there


Gosh you are all such a mountain of information it has really helped me in ;looking after my babies. I have been a mom now for a year raised five bantams but had disasters on the way but you have helped so much with all your advice.Thank you. Just recently flower died , she had two chick but just upped one morning sat on a rock and had a fit and died it was horrible. She was sitting on the nest for so long the vet said that she was undernourised, then they said everyone is under nourised. I feed them really well with fresh corn and veggies and their special feed but think the pigeons eat it all. How do i get rid of pigeons?

I live in South Africa and winter is coming so I built them a concrete house, with separate boxes each with fresh hay but have prob with the floor have been using wood shavings, but the shavings make such a mess and get into the water. Henry and the girls love the new house. but Henry will insist in standing in the pouring freezing rain and getting soaked singing 'I;m a Henry: the whole time (stupid cock)!!

I have another sick bantam ,ginger, she is currently in a playpen in my guest room!! and on doxcycline, she seems to be getting better but am afraid to introduce her back incase they do the pecking thing, not sure if she is ready have put a mirror inwith her but thinks she wants soil bath, not sure what to do.

All \i can say is that having chickens is the most marvellous experience ever, and you become so obssessed it is crazy.

Can anyone help?

thanks
whoop whoop

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

I am so sorry about Flower.

It is never easy to lose them. Broodies do get very under nourished and can have health problems being broody too long.

When your sick bird is ready to go back into the flock, you will need to reintroduce her slowly back into the flock. Keep her in a cage or enclosure in the coop and run around the flock at all times. Everybody sees, nobody touches. Leave her this way for about 3 weeks or so. This should stop most of the aggression getting her back into the flock. If you just throw her back in after being gone too long, she may get hurt.

As for pigeons, you will need to keep the birds food and water in an area that is covered and protected from wild birds. Wild birds carry diseases. My flock caught a very nasty bacterial infection and I nearly lost the entire flock. So do your best to completely enclose the run and coop so wild birds can't get in. You can also stop by our Pests and Predators section for more help with pigeons....https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/13/predators-and-pests

Great to have you aboard and welcome to our flock!

 

[drumstick diva]

Do you hens get layer feed with crushed oyster shell in a separate dish, so they can eat it if needed? Broody hens sometimes refuse to leave the nest to eat, drink and poo. Sometimes you have to force them away 2 or 3 times a day to make sure they do eat and so on. It is very hard on them. Welcome to Backyard chickens. Do the pigeons roost on top of your coop or on the run fencing.? You may be able to chase them off with electrified fence wire in those places. After they get the idea they are NOT welcome, you could probably dismantle it - for later use.

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! Sorry for the loss of your hen You've gotten some good suggestions above on dealing with the pigeons. With the waterer, you might try putting it up a step or two on something like concrete blocks etc, so it is high enough not to have shavings kicked in all the time.

 

[whoop whoop]

Thanks guys for the replies - actually living in South Africa we are covered in electric fencing and piggyeons don't care infact if I didn't know better they simply fly into the fencing for fun. It is a huge problem - I think you are right I will have to cover the whole area with chicken wire with small holes, what a mission oh well I have come so far the extra bit will be worth it. I am just sorry for the poor person who gets all my pigeons. On a lighter note my sick chicken is much better today think I shall try her outside with the others. Will move the water. Don't know anything about oyster shells, not sure I can get here is there something else I could use, generally feed laying mash, corn veggies and growing mash.

 

[whoop whoop]

You are so right I just put Ginger in and Henry nearly took her out - I removed her to the spinach patch for a dust bath and then put her back in my spare
room. Oh dear this is going to take lots of time and I have seven cats and two Black Russian Terriers, kids and a demanding husband all need caring for, think I am going to have to put prozac in the air con!!!

I know about the pigeons from your site but have vaccinated chickens but even so they are a dirty diseased lot - I have been thinking about a 'chicken flap' Henry can push his way thru he is tough but how to let it work both ways - needs some thought I really hate pigeons.

Thanks again
whoop whoop

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[nj2wv]

Welcome to BYC !!