I caught an INTRUDER in the coop!

[Akrnaf2]

I went to feed and water my flock today when I got startled by this mourning dove, that had found his way into the run. The Coop is covered with green plastic garden fencing to keep out the owls and hawks, but he must have snuck in through a 3x3” hole in the side. Anyhow, fast question; should I be concerned about wild birds infecting my flock? (avian flu etc.)View attachment 1350495

If so, what countermeasures should I take, aside from patching the holes in the coop, to prevent my chickens from getting sick?

(Side note: Bird Lovers need not worry about the fate of the trespassing dove. After letting my kids “terrorize” [pet] it for a minute, I released it back outside.)

Dove and pigeons are the major carriers of Trichomoniasis (Trichomonas gallinae) AKA canker! So it isn't a good Idea to have them around your flock ....

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[David885]

Thanks for the info! I have the entire run covered now (see photo), but doves keep sitting on top of the mesh and defecate in the coop. Any tips on how to keep them off? Building codes here won’t let me put a solid roof up that attaches to a fence that borders my neighbors yard.