I DETEST starlings.....and yet I fell guilty....

[DelcoChix]

Quote:
Thanks for understanding my dilemma...netting first...then the weaponry I guess. sigh.

 

[Judy]

I can understand having an aversion to killing, even when it is obviously the right thing to do, as in this case... but guilt? That I don't understand.

 

[PineappleMama]

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Then might I suggest leaving this topic up on screen for your DS to see and then just not commenting when all the buggers just happen to disappear.

 

[MrsChickendad]

If you are getting wild birds in your pens CHECK YOUR CHICKENS FOR MITES!

 

[DelcoChix]

Quote:
Pretty simple reason...don't like the idea of killing something that is simply surviving--but I want 'em gone...conflict within=guilt.
Head vs. heart sort of thing.

Not an armchair shrink but I know it bothers me that folks in my semi-urban/semi-rural area kills pesky groundhogs for 'fun.' Totally agree that they need to go if they are in my pasture-barn,etc.....causing damage, but there's a certain mentality of 'they are useless to me therefore they don't deserve to live.' Same thing with possums, raccoons--protect our 'stuff,' totally agree ('stuff=pets,chickens, property,etc.)...but kill it because it's there? Because it 'might' do something...not the path I can take...and I guess this stupid starling overload has got me feeling like I'm closer to the senseless slaughter folks because I haven't done everything I can (yet) to keep em out...
OK--sorry to go on so, just want to explain as best I can

 

[DelcoChix]

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Oh no!
Another black check in the 'eliminate' the rotten birds column....

 

[Brindlebtch]

I hate starlings, too! We live in an area with a lot of big trees and every year you see the poor woodpeckers battling starlings for holes in the trees that the woodpeckers made and want to nest in. Starlings usually win because they are so mean, nasty and persistent! They will take over any hole big enough for them to nest in and bully any residents out. I hate them!

We have a pellet gun and have shot starlings around here for years. We have killed a significant number of them and have noticeably reduced their numbers. They all know what the pellet gun looks like, too, and will fly away screaching.

I hate English sparrows, too.

 

[Mattemma]

I feel really bad dispatching animals too,but sometimes it must be done. We have starlings and houses sparrows that I know I can get rid off. Then there are the CROWS. I don't think they can be killed,but if I have them resting and yacking in my yard I will bang a pot till I get them to move on. So far so good. I know they keep the hawks away,but I don't want them chillin' in my yard all day.

 

[seedcorn]

crows are protected. They actually do some good as they are carrion eaters.

 

[Mahonri]

As a kid I would use a shotgun when a large flock would stop in one of our large poplar trees. I brought down as many as 15 once with one shot.. but as has been said, they are one of the smartest small bird on the planet and they learn quickly.

After a few shots in the trees, they seldom came back to our trees, but if they did and even saw movement from the house, they would fly off before you could get a shot off.

I really do loathe starlings. If I were your neighbor, I'd buy a gun just to help you get rid of them.