Sparrows eating ALL my chicken feed.

[Gallo del Cielo]

Here is the link to my treadle feeder plans: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/building-a-treadle-chicken-feeder I would also point you to two other types of auto-feeders that would work well at keeping sparrows at bay and would be much easier to make: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/602082/for-those-using-lever-activated-bucket-feeders and post #10: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/599511/does-anyone-use-rodent-resistent-feeders#post_7913179 Good luck!

 

[The Lazy L]

Use a "automatic" chicken feeder?

 

[they'reHISchickens]

We bought a sparrow trap- Google it. It works sporadically but does reduce the numbers. We find the sparrows go in the coop mostly when the large doors are open so we try to keep them closed.
Besides eating the feed, sparrows also bring in lice and mites.

 

[Me & Jack]

I've been experiencing the same problem for four years. Actually had a few sparrows that nested in the eaves of our large shed. Now there are about 20 that live near the chicken pens year round. They sit on the edges of the goat water buckets and defecate in them. Drives me nuts. Should mention that we have eight cats -- yes, eight. Still, those sparrows just keeping hanging out.

 

[JerseyGiantfolk]

Since my sister is a birder, we keep the bird feeder with suet cakes and such in front, and less birds went to the backyard where the chickens are. And we even named a Chickadee, Chuck,

 

[halo]

That sparrow trap works!!! I havent got a single sparrow now. In fact, I still had the trap set out, and this morning went out and had caught a pair of cardinals. I turned them loose and put the trap away for now. It works too good!

 

[lucky123]

Wild birds are one of the main sources for mites and lice. Also, if they nest around your chickens when the little ones leave the nest they leave mites that will then find another host, your chickens.

 

[Hinotori]

My german shepherd absolutely hates the sparrows. They are the only birds she goes after, probably because the chickens chase them off and growl at them. She doesn't like anything messing with her chickens. I caught her eating one once, but have no idea how much of a dent she puts. There are only two of the sparrows that brave the run anymore that I see.

 

[Me & Jack]

I love the treadle feeder idea but can just imagine one of my silkies trying to sneak in and eat out of it while another is standing on the lever. As soon as the other gets off I can just see my silkie with her head stuck under the lid!! LOL

 

[Rte.66_chicks]

I had the same problem. My solution was a minnow net from Wal-Mart. I'm glad no one could see me chasing sparrows around the coop, but after several days of work, and over 200 sparrows later (one session netted 130), not many go in the coop anymore. The feed bill has been reduced considerably, and the sparrows are fertilizing the garden. I'm still keeping a lookout for them, and may install the swinging door that I had an upholsterer make for me out of shade cloth. I'd rather keep them out than have to deal with them the way I was, even though my cat (the black one in my avatar) was enjoying frequent sparrow snacks. I wish he'd camp out in the coop and keep them out, but he preferred that I do most of the work.