INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Mother2Hens]

How to get rid of Starlings, Hawks, and other Birds:
I did some more research and found that playing recordings of bird distress calls is an effective way to get rid of starlings and other birds.

For an explanation of how it works: This link explains how a winery used recordings of distress calls of different birds to scare birds away from their grape harvest. They explain that recordings have to be varied because birds get used to the same recording over and over.
You can listen to a “Birds in Distress” audio recording here

Make your own: There are companies that make recordings/speakers for that purpose, but bird distress sounds can be found on youtube. They can be recorded on smart phones and other devices to make your own recordings. If your smart phone voice recorder doesn't work well enough, there are many audio recording apps (some are free) available for iPhones and android phones.
Here's a recording that's part of an ad-- just record the bird distress part.

youtube has lots of recordings that could be put together and rearranged.

Sound level info: Recording of distress calls should be played at their natural intensity: If they're too loud, the call becomes distorted. At their natural sound level, distress calls are not intrusive to people.

Here are some other ideas:
How to Get Rid of Starlings: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow

 

[ChickCrazed]

I like the idea of an awning. They sure didn't have any trouble going under cover inside the coop but I did have fewer of them when I had the tarp over the run as my temporary slow down measure while I got more materials. The distress calls are another good idea. I am hoping they stop being an issue once the ground is uncovered and bugs come back out, but my fear is they have figured out where the easy meal is and they will find the open run door the second I open it to free range the kids. It really is unbelievable how quickly it became a MAJOR issue, so my recommendation is to have plans in place in case they find you!

 

[CRSelvey]

[COLOR=8B4513]oops forgot my examples...[/COLOR]

Nice graphics

I don't have spider, ants, or ladybugs! Could be I live I'm different area though???

If you don't have any of those, I want to live where you do. I live in the woods and have more than I need if all those...and squirrels. I used to think they were so cute. Now they are a menace,but the deer and wild turkeys are awesome.

[COLOR=A52A2A]How to get rid of Starlings, Hawks, and other Birds:[/COLOR] [COLOR=8B4513]I did some more research and found that playing recordings of bird distress calls is an effective way to get rid of starlings and other birds. [/COLOR] [COLOR=8B4513]For an explanation of how it works: This link explains how a winery used recordings of distress calls of different birds to scare birds away from their grape harvest. They explain that recordings have to be varied because birds get used to the same recording over and over. [/COLOR] You can listen to a “Birds in Distress” audio recording [COLOR=8B4513] [/COLOR] here [COLOR=8B4513]Make your own: There are companies that make recordings/speakers for that purpose, but bird distress sounds can be found on youtube. They can[/COLOR] [COLOR=8B4513]be recorded on smart phones and other devices to make your own recordings. If your smart phone voice recorder doesn't work well enough, there are many audio recording apps (some are free) available for iPhones and android phones. [/COLOR] [COLOR=8B4513]Here's a recording that's part of an ad-- just record the bird distress part.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=8B4513]youtube has lots of recordings that could be put together and rearranged.[/COLOR] [COLOR=8B4513]Sound level info: Recording of distress calls should be played at their natural intensity: If they're too loud, the call becomes distorted. At their natural sound level, distress calls are not intrusive to people.[/COLOR] [COLOR=8B4513]Here are some other ideas:[/COLOR] How to Get Rid of Starlings: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow

Ok so those are all interesting ideas but if they are distress calls, would they stress out the chickens too?

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote: I was concerned that those would disturb the chickens so it's interesting to see that you say it does disturb the chicks. I had decided a long time ago not to use them because I didn't want to take the chance on them being a continual disturbance that might cause problems for the chicken's health by being around them long-term.

I did finally get one of the rat zappers to try...works wonderfully. I also have tried t outside by putting it into a plastic storage box w/lid and cut a hole in the side for them to go in. (no photo yet). I had it outside in the run near the door as I've seen tracks there that I was concerned may be weasel. Not sure if the rat zapper is large enough for a weasel but thought I'd try one anyway. Been catching mice like crazy but no weasel...not even sure I have one!

Safe around chickens, cats/dogs, etc. Mice and rats to in to get the bate and it zaps them with an electric shock but only runs on batteries. You never have to touch or even see the victim if you don't want...just dump it out wherever you're disposing of them and re set.

Quote:

This is also a concern to me and I wouldn't do it even though it may work great.

I am concerned that the chickens - who need to be afraid, alert, and taking cover when they hear a bird of prey and the other birds in the community that are sending the distress signal to let everyone know there are birds of prey present - will learn to disregard those sounds if they are used to hearing them constantly and may become easy prey for the real thing.

It may also cause a "constant state of stress" that wouldn't be a good thing.

I guess I'm sounding like a party pooper here

 

[leslea]

Oh I forgot to tell you guys something. We have been fighting with mice lately and after reading the comments about glue traps being inhumane, I started looking for alternatives. It's not that I wasn't aware but when I'm trying to keep them out of my kitchen

or away from my kids, I just stopped thinking about it. My kids live here and the mice aren't supposed to...Anyway, at rural king the other day I found a four pack of plug in things that are deterrents, but not supposed to be hard on dogs or cats. I plugged them in near the two places I thought they were getting in and I haven't seen any trace of them in almost two weeks. I read that they will bother fish so they shouldn't be placed near but across the room should be ok. It's such a relief!!!

Thank you for posting this.

I left my chick starter in the back of my van to keep the mice from getting into it in our garage. Yesterday I pulled it out to store it elsewhere, bc I needed the van for groceries. Guess what I found? A mice had eaten into the bag of chick starter and mouse turds in my van! CRAP, indeed!

I will look for these plug-in things.

 

[leslea]

Hello. I have two mixed hens and a Cochin roo. Kabhyper1 is my daughter in law. I am starting to incubate eggs this week. Wish me luck!

Welcome!

 

[barb s]

Got stocked up on hay today, thanks to BarbS. It was really nice meeting her and her BF Tony. Then I went out and got some pics of the beasties.

Burble Butt aka Blueberry

Teagan loving his new hay.

I think you have something in your teeth Masquerade.

Raven ( minorca x sl/w)

Teagan again

Rio being cute as usual

Miss Lavender

Peaches (Pickles and Crickets momma)

Mr. Cricket (EE x sl/w)

Miss Pickles ( EEx sl/w)

A day in the life...

Cricket

Symphony

Blueberry again

Ah Gawd! This is Snickers, she is usually a gorgeous Minorca, she decided this is a good time to molt. ugh

Gus (standing like a dork)

Ruby

Cricket again (that beard!)

Pebbles

Godiva and the big guy.
I have more in the flock, but they were being uncooperative.

Was great meeting with Kabhyper and her husband yesterday. They have beautiful place and home. The chickens and alpacas are even more beautiful in person than they are in the pics. The Silkies made you just want to pick them up and cuddle with them.

 

[CRSelvey]

The Chicken Chick wrote a blog entry on sprouting seeds with nice pics. http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2014/02/sprouting-grains-for-chickens-fodder.html

 

[hogster160]

M2H Thanks for the info, yes I found a lot of the same info listed. Her crop was down a little this morning. Not much though. I did feed her some fermented food, no seeds though. She upset I won't feed her more! I'm afraid to give her too much, crop is huge and squishy. I did read on a thread about monistat 3. I have bought it and given one dose. We shall see if it works. She acting normal, walking digging in the bedding looking for feed im guessing. Talking up a storm. Poop is normal. Just a huge crop. So my plan today is watch, massage her crop several times and maybe a tsp of ff no seed 3-4 today.

I have read about making a chicken vomit. Not sure I like that, there's a chance she can aspirate if it gets in her lungs and die. I pretty much have decided against that.

Thanks for the info!

Deb

 

[CRSelvey]

Also, Kab, maybe you can answer this: what is the reason to have Alpacas? They are super cute animals but what are they used for? Do you use their wool? Is it even called wool?