Is it ok to kill pest birds like finches and doves that eat your feed

[Bryce Thomas]

Several types of birds are federally protected. While doves are not, finches, song birds, and several others are. You can receive over $5k in fines and jail time as it is a federal crime. They are also protected by the migratory bird act. Find a humane way to scare them off.

I always try my best to. I always buy a 30$ 50 pound bag of feed every week for my chickens. They eat only a small amount and I already have other things to take care of so I dont have time to take out the feed after 15 mins. My neighbor has 3 chickens and she goes through 50 pound feed costing 30$ every week as well. She has gotten so stressed she is giving me her all and only 3 chickens on april 2nd. I have tried to train my rooster to attack doves and house finches that come into the coop to eat the feed but it has no use

 

[BantammChick]

I always try my best to. I always buy a 30$ 50 pound bag of feed every week for my chickens. They eat only a small amount and I already have other things to take care of so I dont have time to take out the feed after 15 mins. My neighbor has 3 chickens and she goes through 50 pound feed costing 30$ every week as well. She has gotten so stressed she is giving me her all and only 3 chickens on april 2nd. I have tried to train my rooster to attack doves and house finches that come into the coop to eat the feed but it has no use

Do you have a dog? Maybe a dog living around the coop would keep the birds away.

 

[Bryce Thomas]

Do you have a dog? Maybe a dog living around the coop would keep the birds away.

I do. he is a silky terrier but he has no teeth because his previous owner never brushed his teeth so he eats the scrambled eggs my chickens make and trying to train my rooster to attack stuff has no effect

 

[HawaiiCoyote]

I don't kill the doves that try to eat my feed, I just hang out with the chickens while they eat and swing my arms around to scare off the doves when they fly in.
I wouldn't kill a dove unless you are planning on eating it. IMO.

 

[AntiqueB]

Treadle feeder, like this one:

There are many to choose from. It will keep mice away, too.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Bit confused why you thought the rooster could be trained to go after specific birds. Heck, mine doesn't even bat an eye at mice and those are far more suitable prey animals than small birds

 

[HawaiiCoyote]

Yeah that confused me as well...

 

[RosemaryDuck]

Roosters can't be trained to 'attack'. They attack things they view as a threat to them and their hens (birds of prey, predators, sometimes people). Doves, songbirds etc are no danger to them so they have no reason to attack or harm them. It's just another bird to them.

 

[Bryce Thomas]

I know roosters cant be trained on some things, but I also didn't want to spend 800-1000$ on chicken wire to put around my coop

 

[HawaiiCoyote]

I know roosters cant be trained on some things, but I also didn't want to spend 800-1000$ on chicken wire to put around my coop

Tons of people in this thread have given you ideas and advice on how to keep the birds out of your feed without buying any fencing.

Treadle feeder, like this one:
View attachment 2589395
There are many to choose from. It will keep mice away, too.

like this.

, I just hang out with the chickens while they eat and swing my arms around to scare off the doves when they fly in.

or this.