Squatters and Freeloaders

[mydakota1]

Update. The starlings have moved on. I started feeding in 2 treadle feeders and I put moth balls in the rafters of the coop. They didn't like the hospitality and left. The treadle feeders work really well.

 

[raizin]

Glad they moved on. For future reference, there are a variety of starling traps on the market or that can be easily constructed specifically to deter and / or trap starlings. Try a google search for the options. They usually have to be killed before they will stop once they have discovered a feed source.

 

[mydakota1]

I have quit using my regular feeders altogether. The treadle feeders seems to have foiled them.

 

[Bullitt]

I have quit using my regular feeders altogether. The treadle feeders seems to have foiled them.

Sometimes the simple answer is the right answer to a problem.

I am glad it worked out for you and you got rid of the freeloaders.

 

[Kehaulani]

I made my own treadle feeder out of a small step on plastic rubbish can since I didn’t want to spend a lot of money or build one from scrap wood. I just attached a flat piece of wood to the pedal (drilled a hole and attached with a screw) so they would have a bigger step pad. I made the inner can smaller by cutting it and making a new floor that the girls can reach. The lid is made of plastic so if comes down, it won’t hurt them, but heavy enough to stay down and keep out rats and wild birds. Total cost $15

 

[mydakota1]

Any chance you might be willing to post pics of this?

 

[Kehaulani]

I did, above.. But I can try again

 

[Kehaulani]

Here's a video I made

http://www.magisto.com/video/NlQGNEgVQWssUgNpYw