Sparrows eating ALL my chicken feed.

[sgray136]

I put the feed in the coop. The birds can come and go to eat and the little critters don't seem to gang up on the food like they do when it is outside. It has really cut down on the thievin.

 

[68CudaGuy]

I put bird feeders out in the far corners of the front yard as far away from the chicken house as I could. I only put water out when mine are in the run or tractor. I feed them only when the coop is closed up for the night. Changed to 1/2" welded wire netting for vent screening instead of chicken wire that yes, the little burglars were squeezing thru. I've taken a few out with 38 special bird shot. Mice are the biggest problem now but the visiting cat and my dogs are keeping them at bay right now. That and putting the layer and production feed in METAL cans cut off the mice food supply. The little suckers would come in the chicken door during the day and tear out the back of the bag and feast all night long. A couple have paid the price when discovered while staying overnight uninvited..

 

[edster951]

i have problems with sparrows as well..

I put enough feed for my girls to eat in 5-10 minutes.

I do that 2-3 times a day.

They free range as well.

 

[camille]

I just noticed today that the FLOCK of sparrows that wait for me to feed my flock of 12 weren't around anymore. They do switch to bugs in the summer. But anyway, I don't fret about the sparrows. They manage to eat even though I have a net covering the chickens' yard. They just fly through the little holes in the fence. Anyway, like #13, I give the chickens enough to eat till they are full for breakfast and the birds get a little, then I feed them again in the afternoon and the birds are usually somewhere else and then again at dinner time. I try to feed them early enough in the evening so that they don't leave any behind for rats which I don't have. I also have 3 cats, but they don't get many birds because the birds feed in the chicken yard. I'm glad about that. And I have no rats so I guess the cats are doing a good job.

 

[ChicwannaB]

I've got at least 50 at a time in my coop which has one large people door and a chicken door. Im thinking of putting owl decoys in there and maybe getting a treadly feeder for the chickens. The sparrows wouldn't be able to open it.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Quote:
Gallo del Cielo has plans for a treadle feeder on his BYC page. Also I have seen them for sale on internet and ebay.

 

[KrisH]

do you use pellet food, or mash? the little birds may have more of a problem with layer pellets

I don't know, just a thought

Robert

 

[ChicwannaB]

Quote:
Usually I have pellets, but recently my DH bought crumbles, and what usually lasts me 7-8 days was gone in 4!! I just sent the treadle feeder plans to my son to see if he can build it for me. Im sick of feeding sparrows.

 

[Ted n Ms]

Use a treadle feeder. It keeps birds out. Plans are on this fourm.

 

[Ted n Ms]

Can't get the link to copy and paste. Just put treadle feeder in the search .