Predator attack or birds picking on each other?

[hedgemoo]

When i started out one of my hens was injured exactly like that under her wing. We think it was a cat trying it's luck grabbing through the bars. A cat definitely got a juvenile bird around the same time, who knows how, must have got a good grip and dragged it through.

We put finer mesh on the hutch - it had been quite wide rabbit hutch mesh - and problem solved. The hen healed up fine.

 

[Lilyofsalen]

When i started out one of my hens was injured exactly like that under her wing. We think it was a cat trying it's luck grabbing through the bars. A cat definitely got a juvenile bird around the same time, who knows how, must have got a good grip and dragged it through.

We put finer mesh on the hutch - it had been quite wide rabbit hutch mesh - and problem solved. The hen healed up fine.

Dang it, I was hoping my cat problem was solved but I guess not. The injuries look like lacerations too. Well, I was starting to think about boarding up the bottom quarter of the aviary with pallet boards, that way they can't ram their beaks into the wire or see something that makes them uneasy. I've seen a lot of broken beak tips lately and I don't like the way they gather in the corners and peck at the mesh when I fill their feed/water (even though I bring treats, I've had a tough time getting them to be calm around me).

 

[Quaicken108]

Wow! I was just reading through this thread and wanted to say... you’re quail is sooooo cute!
I love her eyes!

 

[Quailobsessed]

Dang it, I was hoping my cat problem was solved but I guess not. The injuries look like lacerations too. Well, I was starting to think about boarding up the bottom quarter of the aviary with pallet boards, that way they can't ram their beaks into the wire or see something that makes them uneasy. I've seen a lot of broken beak tips lately and I don't like the way they gather in the corners and peck at the mesh when I fill their feed/water (even though I bring treats, I've had a tough time getting them to be calm around me).

Kind of like me and my ongoing rat problem.

 

[Lilyofsalen]

Kind of like me and my ongoing rat problem.

Can you describe your situation? I find the attacker to most likely be a cat but there's also rats in my area.

 

[Quailobsessed]

Can you describe your situation? I find the attacker to most likely be a cat but there's also rats in my area.

This was definitely rats, because I saw them. I don't have an issue with it right now, because they normally come when the weather is colder. They dug holes under my aviaries to get in. They usually just took the food, but they sometimes killed my birds too.

I have also had what I think was cat attacks in may finch aviary.

 

[Lilyofsalen]

Oh no, this morning I find a hole in my aviary floor. Some critter had slid between the 1/2 inch that covers the bottom of the aviary and dug into it. Can rats squeeze there way through 1/2 inch mesh? Or is it most likely a mouse (I've seen mice living beside the aviary when I moved the growout pen). Do mice pose a threat?

 

[Nabiki]

Oh no, this morning I find a hole in my aviary floor. Some critter had slid between the 1/2 inch that covers the bottom of the aviary and dug into it. Can rats squeeze there way through 1/2 inch mesh? Or is it most likely a mouse (I've seen mice living beside the aviary when I moved the growout pen). Do mice pose a threat?

Rats are smart. 1/2" seems awfully small for a rat, but if it pulled it apart some and expanded it, it's possible.

 

[Quaicken108]

Oh no, this morning I find a hole in my aviary floor. Some critter had slid between the 1/2 inch that covers the bottom of the aviary and dug into it. Can rats squeeze there way through 1/2 inch mesh? Or is it most likely a mouse (I've seen mice living beside the aviary when I moved the growout pen). Do mice pose a threat?

Nabiki is right with the rats but if it’s mice they can pose somewhat of a threat because they can mess with your birds food and carry diseases. Your birds might catch a disease but they won’t be eaten by a mouse.

 

[Quailobsessed]

I know rats can fit through a 2cm gap, but I don't know about 1/2 inch.