The attack of the squirrels HELP!

[schmedlap]

Pellet gun. Aim just below the ear. One shot and done. Do what you want with the carcass.

 

[NatJ]

I have been having this problem whare my 10 chickens go through about 100 pounds of food a week, I have discovers that every day there are these 8 squirrels that binge eat all my food I have tried only putting a little bit of food out there but thene the chickens don’t eat this is a big conundrum . Does any one have any ideas on solving my problem

Several possible ideas:

Chickens often enjoy having their feed served wet. Do the squirrels leave it alone that way? Maybe get a cup or two of feed wet and watch who eats it. (You'd have to put it out fresh each day, to avoid spoilage).

It's also possible for chickens to eat enough in two good feeds per day, when the food is wet enough that they can easily swallow it without choking. So you could serve the chickens a big "breakfast" and a big "dinner" and not have much available in between times.

Depending on the size of the chickens' heads and the size of the squirrels, there might be a size of fence wire you could wrap around the feeder that chickens could reach through but squirrels could not go through.

It might be possible to serve the chicken food in something like a plastic 1-gallon jug with holes cut in the sides, if there is a size of hole that will permit chicken heads. (The squirrel may not be willing to climb all the way inside to get the feed, because it might then feel trapped--probably depends on the squirrel.)

Can the chickens fly a few feet? Maybe an oversize "bird feeder" type setup, with the feeder and a perch on top of a slick pole to prevent climbing, or hanging from a wire/rope. I know I've seen ideas for squirrel-proof bird feeders, and chickens are birds...

 

[hdputtergirl]

I have been having this problem whare my 10 chickens go through about 100 pounds of food a week, I have discovers that every day there are these 8 squirrels that binge eat all my food I have tried only putting a little bit of food out there but thene the chickens don’t eat this is a big conundrum . Does any one have any ideas on solving my problem

I have two Granpa’s feeders for my 10 girls. They’re auto feeders so the girls have to step on the step to open the feeder. My rabbit feeds out of it too. It keeps the rat population down as well.

 

[svh]

Last year I had a problem with tree rats getting into my barn, and gorging on my corn, and soybean stash.

Once I watched them, and figured out how they were getting in, I plopped down behind a tree, in a lawn chair with the shotty, and went to work.

Over the course of 2 days, about 2 hours total, I harvested 11 of the little scavengers making their way to the "free" meal in the barn.

I dropped em in the Instant Pot, and made the best squirrel and dumplins I've had in a long while ! I haven't seen a squirrel since, and the hole is still up there near the top of the barn.

Please be safe, and check your local laws, and limits, and if you've never had properly cooked squirrel, (PM me for more info) you would be in for a very tasty treat !

 

[Cryss]

If pepper flakes are too expensive try growing a few hot pepper plants and dehydrate your own.

 

[Sea Wolf]

Squirrels are nothing more than cute rats. Shoot them. Get a pellet gun and practice with it as you will have to sight it in first before using on a live target. Or, get a live trap, bait it with bread and peanut butter and when caught, drown them and dispose. Do not take them someplace else and release them. Not only are they considered vermin/pests, doing so is illegal and chances are they will return anyway. Fortunately not only do I have a friend that has a couple of hunting hawks to give the squirrels to, if he doesn't want them, there is also a wildlife rescue place nearby that I give them to to help feed recovering predators there. They are pests and destructive. Simply kill them.

 

[Tashua]

Thanx for this post ya’ll !
I’ve been here for 2 years learning & planning for my first coop and read just about everything . We have 5 acres & I use 5-6 feeding stations for
Birds , so squirrels are ABUNDANT !!
sounds like the “grandpa” treadle is the way to go ? Was on the fence til this post .. .

 

[Maryrog]

Our problem is not squirrels it's all the wild birds. We have an open top run and leave the feeder inside the coop, but even with the coop completely closed (except for a window with chicken wire and the small door for the chickens), and all the wild birds just go in and make themselves at home. We are amazed how much food we go through for just 7 girls. In our area, we have a LOT of doves and starlings along with the normal small birds.
We are also concerned about disease from the wild flock.
Suggestions please.

 

[aart]

Our problem is not squirrels it's all the wild birds. We have an open top run and leave the feeder inside the coop, but even with the coop completely closed (except for a window with chicken wire and the small door for the chickens), and all the wild birds just go in and make themselves at home. We are amazed how much food we go through for just 7 girls. In our area, we have a LOT of doves and starlings along with the normal small birds.
We are also concerned about disease from the wild flock.
Suggestions please.

Cover the top of your run.
Put pet door strips on pop door.

 

[Al Gerhart]

Our problem is not squirrels it's all the wild birds. We have an open top run and leave the feeder inside the coop, but even with the coop completely closed (except for a window with chicken wire and the small door for the chickens), and all the wild birds just go in and make themselves at home. We are amazed how much food we go through for just 7 girls. In our area, we have a LOT of doves and starlings along with the normal small birds.
We are also concerned about disease from the wild flock.
Suggestions please.

A proper treadle feeder stops wild birds. Spring loaded door, narrow and distant treadle, heavy counterweight, nothing else works for the most persistent vermin. Do a forum search, this problem was solved back in 2012, people are just too reluctant to spend the money on a decent feeder.