Squirrels and My Free Ranging Peafowl / Guinea Fowl

[Heltz]

I am having a terrible squirrel problem. My free-ranging Peafowl and Guinea Fowl, are a flock, and they have specific eating times, morning and now early evening in PA (4 pm). They know where I keep their food, and are very scheduled, but right now, the squirrels are taking over and eating the feed. I just have it out, in bowls, because the normal feeders i have hanging the squirrels just get to, and they now enjoy coming around to eat around me. What can I do other than get a BB gun for these squirrels? It's fall, so this is their time, otherwise i never had had a problem until now.

 

[KsKingBee]

If you put out just enough feed for the birds to clean up within thirty minutes twice per day they will get all they need. It may take a couple of weeks for the birds to adjust but they will. You can also provide them a wild bird feeder for snacking on throughout the day.

 

[Entreparadis]

I had the same problem but with chipmunks. I felt bad for them in the spring and let them eat the grain I threw for my peacocks, but I attracted over ten chipmunks that stalked me while I spent time with the birds and got way too close! The little stinkers ran around my legs and one even ran over my shoe while I was feeding the peacock banana. Apparently banana is a favorite of the chipmunks around here because they would even take it out of the dog bowl I put it in. I even tried floating the fruit in water and they still stole it!!!

 

[Entreparadis]

If you put out just enough feed for the birds to clean up within thirty minutes twice per day they will get all they need. It may take a couple of weeks for the birds to adjust but they will. You can also provide them a wild bird feeder for snacking on throughout the day.
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Good suggestions, and beautiful boys!!!

 

[Ursuline Chick]

Sounds like a sauce piquant receipt is needed. Solve the problem and get some good eating out of the deal.