Investing More In American Dominiques

[aart]

That stinks!!!
Have you had trouble with these birds before......if not, what changed that brought them in?

 

[Mrs. K]

They can be horrible! They were imported from Europe. You might call the extension office and see if they have advice.

And I do know what you mean about crapping over everything, just a mess.

 

[centrarchid]

Barn seems to be the cause.

 

[aart]

Barn seems to be the cause.

Makes sense...Shelter and Food.
Better close up that barn..... maybe at least for winter?

 

[centrarchid]

I think this will prove to be cold weather dependent. During breeding season the barn itself provides no nesting habitat and my pasture management is not conducive to starling foraging. Closing up will be restricted to a bird filter. Heat will be a far bigger challenge during summer when ventilation will be at a premium. Hens in lay will shut down when it gets hot as I will not have any active systems for removing / dissipating heat.

 

[aart]

I think this will prove to be cold weather dependent. During breeding season the barn itself provides no nesting habitat and my pasture management is not conducive to starling foraging. Closing up will be restricted to a bird filter. Heat will be a far bigger challenge during summer when ventilation will be at a premium. Hens in lay will shut down when it gets hot as I will not have any active systems for removing / dissipating heat.

Right......'closing up' could mean a bit more 'investment' in some light framing poles, a lot of chicken wire and a few doors.
Keep the unwanted birds out and doesn't deter ventilation.

 

[centrarchid]

Here is a measure of what starlings are doing. I left 5 lbs of feed in a pale. They consumed all within 2 hours.

 

[Mrs. K]

oh, I so feel for you, this is a serious problem. And expensive.

 

[centrarchid]

Starlings still putting huge dent in feed with several hundred coming in. To thwart them I will try to cover feed mix with a lot hay in large sized feed bowls. Chickens will be able to scratch down to feed while starlings hopefully will not to be able to do so. Would make foraging more entertaining for chickens as well.

 

[centrarchid]

Starlings still numbered about 100 yesterday. Today none. Temperature x snow cover interaction important. Very low temperature makes their probing method of feeding used in short-grass areas difficult because ground freezes. Snow cover makes gleaning for eats on surface difficult because they cannot see eats. Low temperatures also increase metabolic demand making for desperate measures when it comes to feeding.