SQUIRRELS!!!

[PastaChickenBoo]

For some reason we have a problem with squirrels and sparrows getting into our run. Our run is a commercial run made of metal with one-inch gaps COVERED WITH 1/4 INCH HARDWARE CLOTH!!! AND THE SQUIRRELS STILL GOT IN! And then we covered the gaps between the hardware cloth door and the regular door...and the sparrows got in!
Anyone else having a similar problem?

 

[Flock In Texas]

I can't help you, but I'm curious. What do squirrels do inside your run? Eat their food? Attack chickens? Do I need to break out the pellet gun?

 

[Dmontgomery]

I can't help you, but I'm curious. What do squirrels do inside your run? Eat their food? Attack chickens? Do I need to break out the pellet gun?

In our case, the squirrels eat the corn left over when I throw out scratch for the free ranging chickens. The chickens don't eat it, so fortunately the squirrels clean it up.
I've heard they can eat or steal eggs, but it hasn't happened to us. I keep an eye on them when they are in the run and chase them out of the if they look like they are getting too comfortable. They seem to be a little leery of the chickens, so I assume they've been pecked a few times.

 

[tigger19687]

I used to feed 3 squirrels before the chickens, 2 would eat out of my hand. I stopped feeding them and with in a few weeks they have not been back that I know.
If the chickens are not eating the corn stop feeding the scratch all together. Squirrels will figure out that there are no more free luches and move on.

OR, toss the scratch on other side of house where chickens are not. Squirrels will go there and then stop after 2 days of seeing them go there. They will come back to the hen yard, no food... move on.

I am still trying to rehome the chipmunk in the hen yard he is so darn cute, but not eating the feed so he is good for now

 

[PastaChickenBoo]

So those darn squirrels eat our food and drink our water! So do the sparrows

 

[Suzi18]

I'm finding this interesting because we were always over run with squirrels until we got our chickens. The squirrels were always in the yard and drove our dog insane. We got chickens in April and the squirrels have disappeared. We aren't complaining mind you but we have been commenting on how strange it is.

 

[AnnieSantiago]

I hate squirrels!

 

[PastaChickenBoo]

My mom is like, since most coops are wooden won't the squirrels chew through them?
Also something chewed on on one of our waterers, leaving a hole

 

[aart]

Keep feed and water in coop, should reduce the problem.
Not sure how sparrows can get thru 1/4" HC.
Post pics of run?

 

[duluthralphie]

I use to have a squirrel problem here..

I changed to a feeder about 16 inches in the air with small holes so the birds could not drop grain on the ground and the bushy tails could not get in..

Then I got a nasty predator and all the squirrels and about 200 chickens just vanished....

So it could be worse than just squirrels~! I wish I had the squirrels back now.