Squirrels?

[enola]

Then why do squirrels invade attics of houses? They are always looking for a better/safer place from predators.

Like I said because they wanted to. Then they found the chicken feed. You will notice I mentioned that I started feeding the hens all they could eat twice a day. ( what I forgot to say was, then I removed the feed. )

 

[RonP]

Sorry, my comments were intended towards the original poster.

The original poster has yet to reply about keeping food in the coop.

If so, and they have found the food, yep, problems...they will tell all their family and friends...

I once had the same issue, had to "remove" 14 squirrels before they stopped coming.

Still keep food in the coop, still have trap set, still have plenty of squirrels, but not in the coop or trap in years.

 

[enola]

You are fine.

You are right! They bring their friends, then their friends bring their friends, pretty soon the whole neighborhood of squirrels are eating your feed.

Another thing that can be done? Fermented Feed, they hate it!

Well, at least squirrels in my neighborhood don't like it.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Not really, unless there is something to attract them.

They prefer trees and open spaces, where they naturally find food and shelter in their natural habitat.

Sorry but anyone with a birdfeeder will disagree with that. There is a whole industry that involves the design, manufacture, and sale of squirrel resistant / proof bird feeders. As far as I currently know no one has ever designed a bird feeder that a squirrel can't crack the access code.


I will grantee you this. As time goes on you will attract more and more squirrels to your free squirrel lunch buffet.

 

[RonP]

Sorry but anyone with a birdfeeder will disagree with that. There is a whole industry that involves the design, manufacture, and sale of squirrel resistant / proof bird feeders. As far as I currently know no one has ever designed a bird feeder that a squirrel can't crack the access code.

Probably because a birdfeeder, with food, is something very attractive to them.

I bet you they will ignore an empty one no matter how poorly designed...

Still waiting for OP to tell us if there is food in the coop...

 

[chickengeorgeto]

"Probably because a birdfeeder, with food, is something very attractive to them.

I bet you they will ignore an empty one no matter how poorly designed...

..."

Do you think?

 

[KrisBarr]

I also have a problem with squirrels in the Hen House.

My chickens are free range during the day and lock up at night. We have a sliding door that I open so they can come & go as they please during
the day. Well now we have squirrels using the door also. They are eating all the chicken feed & scratch and all the hand chopped veggies that
my girls are suppose to only have. Sprayed rodent repellent around the door and around the coop. It worked for only 2 days and not does not
bother the squirrels any longer. How can I KEEP these critters out of my Hen House anyone have a similar problem and have a solution for me.

Please this is getting so frustrating cause of the amount of food I'm loosing & the squirrels are getting pretty fat.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Treadle feeders work well I hear. It's a feeder the chicken steps on to open and eat, squirrels can't open it. From what those that use one say the birds learn fairly quick how to use it.

I don't keep food or water in the coop. Birds are out everyday and don't eat at night so feed and water are outside until roosting time then I take the feed into shed for night. My solution for rodents is tamper proof bait boxes and a pellet gun if red squirrels get out of hand. A treadle feeder may be more your option but I'd still never keep feed in a coop.

 

[brummie]

Don't the chickens chase the squirrels off? I have a squirrel that has to sit on the outside fence because he knows if be tries to get any closer the chickens will rip him. My chickens all go on the alert as soon as they spot him.

 

[Pork Pie]

I find this thread interesting. In my yard, squirrels are always around, but I've never seen them eating chicken food or going near the coop. My chickens rely on the squirrel's alarm calls for their own protection so they don't seem to mind them being around. They do chase cats out of the garden though.

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