How do I stop the crows stealing my chicken food?

[Tanith BHH]

Hi everyone,
I have used up a whole sack of feed in a week to the crows, and I don't know what to do!
I was wondering if I should give my chickens "Feeding time" but I don't know how much to feed them, and don't want to deprive them of the food and starve them! I keep their feeder filled up, so they can take it as they like, but the crows are eating it all! The area my hens live in is too big to cover with netting or anything. What should I do?!
I need to solve the problem soon, I can't feed the whole town's crow population, however much I like them!!

Thanks in advance!

 

[janinepeters]

Are you leaving the feed out in the open? If so, put the feeder in the coop, out of sight of wild birds. Your chickens can go back to the coop when they want a snack.

 

[Tanith BHH]

Thanks for the advice, I'll try it. I'll keep an eye out and if there's still a sack of feed left by the end of the weekl I guess it'll be solved

 

[Tanith BHH]

Looks like the crows just go eat the food inside the coop now, too!
Any other ideas? Thanks anyway, it worked for a few days!

 

[KimKimWilliamso]

What about buying some cheap dog food/bird seed and setting it out somewhere away from the coop for the crows? I know you dont want to feed them, but crows are SMART and if they want something, they're getting it, LOL Another idea would be putting up a plastic owl or hawk near the food. My chickens arent bothered by the one I have up to keep away the GHO's that keep stalking my chickens.

 

[BigECarter]

Maybe this would work:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/automatic-wood-chicken-feeder

Once the hens figured it out, you could adjust the weight needed to open it to where the crows can't trigger it.

 

[Tanith BHH]

Thanks for the quick reply everyone. If I can figure out how to build myself the automatic chicken feeder then I think that might work, I think you might be right about the owl or hawk, but wouldn't putting out food for the crows just attract more? I'll try all the suggestions, though, so thanks again!

Tanith.

 

[BellevueOmlet]

How about a BB gun. Sorry, that is mean but the crows we have around here are cruel birds and pick on every animal and pet in our neighborhood.

 

[Tanith BHH]

Sorry, I haven't been around the last few days so wasn't able to reply.
I think the crows are breeding at the moment and wouldn't want the young to starve to death if I shot the parents... I don't think I could get myself to do it, in anycase! I can understand that it is probably the best way to get rid of them though.
If nothing else works, I may try it.

 

[hoosiercheetah]

You're all very kind hearted people. I guess I must not be.

I say shoot the crows.

http://www.amazon.com/Stoeger-Rifle...F8&qid=1340209754&sr=8-1&keywords=stoeger+x20

Be sure to get the .22 caliber, and buy good hunting pellets.

Happy hunting!!