Squirrel problem

[ChandaH]

So my set up is a small coop with a little run where I leave the door open to the run during the day to let the chickens free range in the pasture. I don't have a 'predator' problem with the chickens because I have a Livestock Guardian Dog.

What I do have is a problem with squirrels eating my chicken feed and now on top of that stealing and eating my eggs right in the coop.

My chickens are now afraid to roost IN the coop and end up roosting in the run at night with the gate locked. I think the squirrels in the coop have scared them one too many times and now other than laying, they don't go in there.

So, I am going to finish sealing up the run so that when the door is closed no squirrels can get in but that still leaves the issue of when the door is open during the day???

What can I do to keep the squirrels out and away from my eggs?

Right now we are trapping and I am trying to get the eggs twice a day... Any other suggestions?

Thanks,
Chanda

 

[schellie69]

I had this problem. Until I let my beagle mix squirrel hating dog out with the chickens. Good luck. Since I have not been free ranging my girls except when I am out there the door is not open and they can't get through the wire.

 

[julie75]

You wanna borrow my Jack Russell? I try to feed the squirrels and he won't let them in the yard, lol.
I really don't have any suggestions unless you want to shoot them. Squirrels are pretty smart and they can be hard to trap. I wonder if you try feeding the squirrels in another area if it would defer them from going to the chicken coop?

 

[La Mike]

Pellet gun or a 22 rifle will work great

 

[ChandaH]

My hubby was thinking about shooting them. We live on 40 acres and we have billions of squirrels so it will be a HUGE job!
Chanda

 

[patman75]

this topic is discussed every couple days. The search function is a very powerful tool.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/se...ens.com/forum/search.php?action=show_24h#1126

If you don't want to hunt them you can post on craigs list, hunting forums, your states hunting department, local paper that you are looking to lease out your land to hunters.

 

[ChandaH]

I searched and got nothing. Not sure why.

All my dogs and sheep are terrified of gunfire so hunting them makes it hard. We also have workers about so allowing strangers on our property with guns could be slightly dangerous! Our vineyard workers don't tend to wear orange vests, hehe.

 

[cooper38]

Seperate pile of corn for the tree rats. When they gather up to eat let loose with the 12ga. If your lucky you can get two or three in one shot.

 

[La Mike]

Find you some teenage boys getting into hunting and it wont be such a big job

 

[Mattemma]

I would recommend putting some food piles in other areas and when they come shoot them. Eventually the numbers will dwindle. I can not think of any other way to deal with egg eating squirrels who, like mice, can squeeze in through very narrow places. I would shoot,shoot,and shoot some more till the numbers are down.