Them pesty little birds!

[Papa John59]

Our run is being over run with every bird in the village! We have a tractor coop with a run and we let the ladies free range. Everyday, when we go out to check the water/feed in the run, every damn bird in the village is there feasting! I've tried 8' post with streamers blowing in the wind, sitting up my sprinkler and spraying them and raking up all the loose feed. But nothing deters them from raiding the run. These are the small wren type birds and I'm just worried about the diseases that they might be carrying. Any suggestions?

 

[grayjay11o]

There isn't much you can do besides fill in every hole and cover it in hardware cloth.

 

[Papa John59]

That's what I was trying to avoid, another expense. The run is rather large, so I guess I could reduce it in size as the girls do get to free range.

 

[EggWalrus]

#6 shot is cheaper

 

[Trish1974]

I feel your pain @Papa John59. I have the same problem.
My run is covered with 1" deer fence and those nasty little sparrows are always squeezing through and hanging out in the run. If I cover it with anything of smaller diameter it will build up with snow.
I just try to keep my birds healthy with fresh feed and vitamins/supplements and pray for the best!

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

I would cover the run with bird netting.

 

[Papa John59]

Today, with the help of my son and his friends, we are relocating the coop and reducing the size of their run. The move was planned for next week, but a week earlier won't hurt. Then we are reducing their run and adding bird netting to the sides. I have more than enough of the netting, we had 4 cherry trees before a snow/ice storm knocked them over a few years back.
@Trish1974, yes those little buggers squeeze into the smallest opening. Our birds here are a little bit smaller than your sparrows (I grew up in NW Ohio, ease of Ft. Wayne) but like you, I would worry about the snow build up.

 

[abpatchy]

There are feeders that are rat and bird proof... same with waterers. I'm just feeding and watering my chickens inside the coop just for that reason.

 

[abpatchy]

https://www.weidezaun.info/feed-o-m...AYOHaY2eTmLcy2d8EG4hss_CN40gTnmUaAh_VEALw_wcB

 

[Matilda Belle]

I'm having the same problem.