Squirrels.

[Widow]

Hello!
We have owned chicken for four days. We have a 10 week old Buff Orpington (Belina), and an 8 week old Black Star (Olivia). This morning, I was going out the door when a huge commotion started in the backyard. Squawking, flapping, chaos. I went out back expecting at the very least a cat, but there was nothing. My oldest chick was honking like a duck or goose and they were both pacing around. Then I saw the squirrel in the tree barking at the coop. I thought it would be easy to scare off, so I threw a stick at it. That squirrel didn't care. I hit it with about three sticks and it just barked and kept creeping closer. I didn't want to get bit, so I watched from a distance and it left. I noticed the oldest chick had blood on her beak, so I opened the coop to take a closer look, and was bombarded by both ladies, who refused to leave my lap for a long time. I pet them and got them calm, and they went back to pecking and eating. Anyone have squirrel problems? I'm pretty sure it was after the food, but I don't know what to do about that. Also, is Belina's beak ok? Should I care for it somehow or have it looked at by someone? I don't see any way the squirrel could have injured her. I think she ran into something when she freaked out. It's clotted and not actively bleeding anymore. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Big Hoot]

A friend of mine has squirrel problems now but they are getting in the nesting boxes and rolling the eggs out. He's put golf balls and door knobs in the nest but they only mess with the eggs. I set a trap for the squirrel last night for him because he doesn't want them killed, just re homed. I would suggest have someone come and either extermitate them or going to your local farm supply store and getting a squirrel trap.

If you get a squirrel trap bait it with apples in the back and a few pieces of apple on the ground in front of the trap. When you catch one make sure you take it several miles from your home "at least over 5" before turning it a lose. Squirrels are great about making their way back home.

As far as the beak unless its broken all the way across I think it well be OK. Just keep a close eye on it and make sure it does not get infected.

Hope this helps,

Big Hoot

 

[Widow]

Thank you for the advice! I live in a city that doesn't allow extermination and I have to have a property owner's permission to release a trapped squirrel. I will keep an eye on the chick's cut. I really appreciate the peace of mind.

 

[NEChickenNoob]

I recommend driving it out of city limits and taking it for a short swim...

 

[memphis]

Yeah..A nice swim is where I take my tree rats!!

 

[RonP]

If the squirrel found food, it will be back.

Your best option is to remove it, permanently.

 

[farmerjohn64]

I don't have squirrel problems because I regularly trim down their numbers in the fall, but I live in the country, so if you live in the city you could make a squirrel trap with a trap door.

 

[olfart]

A good pellet rifle makes almost no noise. if the squirrel is dumb enough to sit on a limb while you throw sticks at it, he needs to go into a stew pot. Only problem would be if a neighbor saw you shoot the squirrel. You might get around that by inviting the neighbor for squirrel stew.

 

[NEChickenNoob]

Crossman Nitro Venom Dusk. Very quiet when using lead pellets. If you use the alloy pellets to get all the way up to 1200 fps (feet per second) you will be over the sound barrier and it will make as much noise as a .22LR. All the lead pellets don't get that high in that gun. I don't know about others. It comes with a scope, easy to shoot, slightly heavy for a pellet rifle and very accurate for the price. This is the one I have: http://www.crosman.com/airguns/rifles/break-barrel/CD1K77NP But I would get the .22 cal version if you have to make any shots over 60 yds at a larger varmint (i.e.- groundhog) If you want a solid powerhouse for a little more $$ http://www.crosman.com/airguns/rifles/break-barrel/BT9M22CNP I have shot a similar version and would have bought it had it been in the store at the time.

 

[keesmom]

Thank you for the advice! I live in a city that doesn't allow extermination

What do they expect people to do with problem critters?