Tired of feeding freeloaders

[chooki]

Hope it lasts ... I mean squirrels are intelligent animals, eventually they will learn ..

 

[chooki]

Here is a picture of a feral rabbit and wild pigeons sharing the food we gave to our chickens. Although in this case, I didn't really mind because leftover bread isn't exactly good for my chickens.

 

[redinator]

Here is a picture of a feral rabbit and wild pigeons sharing the food we gave to our chickens. Although in this case, I didn't really mind because leftover bread isn't exactly good for my chickens.

View attachment 4201338

I was mostly irritated because I just thwarted the mice, then I saw the squirrels pilfering. I wouldn't care if it was scrapes, but feed cost money, lol.

 

[Skyranchmom]

I don't know of anything that actually works to keep squirrels from eating the feed that does not deter the chickens, but you might experiment with cayenne pepper or such. I think the chickens would eat it OK but not sure if the heat deters squirrels. Sprinkle the flakes in the feed.

I cannot think of any feeder your chickens can use that will keep squirrels out. You can use metal to form barriers they can't climb on but all they have to do is raise up on their hind legs and stick their head in the feeder. Hopefully someone can come up with something that works.

I can't remember what your coop/run look like. If yours range much it is really hard to fence squirrels out. They can go through, under, or over most fences. To enclose everything in small mesh welded wire would be prohibitively expensive. Probably cheaper to feed the squirrels.

Trapping and removing the squirrels sounds good but that is not always easy. Years ago on the East Bank I had a squirrel problem. I could not plant anything as they would dig up the seed if the ground was disturbed. I could see about a half dozen practically every time I looked in my back yard during the day. When they chewed flashing around a vent so rainwater came in the house and did a lot of damage I started trapping them. I did not kill them but took them to Shell Beach when I went fishing there or upriver several miles to a refinery to let them go. Letting them go without the property owner's permission was illegal but I did it anyway.

I removed over 50 squirrels in less than a month, getting 2 to 4 a day many days. The neighborhood was so full or squirrels they came in from the area as I thinned them out. I never eliminated them but the damage was greatly reduced.

In Arkansas I had rabbits eating beans in my garden as they sprouted. I shot or trapped 16 rabbits in that garden before I finally removed the one that was eating those bean sprouts. Not all were eating those sprouts but I had no way to know which ones.

I have other stories about rats, raccoons, snakes, and such. I do believe in removing critters that are causing damage but it is not always that easy to do. I doubt that it is all of your squirrels causing the problem but determining which ones can be a problem. If you are comfortable with firearms you might consider a pellet gun to target specific squirrels. A shotgun would cause a lot of damage and even a .22 short can travel a long way. In Slidell I'd think you have lots of neighbors with children within range. Probably some laws about firearms to think about also.

Sorry I can't be more upbeat or have solutions that work. In Slidell you should be able to get some cayenne flakes to try.

Good luck!

I just feed mine twice a day, just what they will eat, rest is in metal trash cans, birds love hanging out in my chicken run

 

[redinator]

I just feed mine twice a day, just what they will eat, rest is in metal trash cans, birds love hanging out in my chicken run

I have young chicks and prefer to have feed out all day while they're growing.

 

[Almosta Farm]

My mom had good luck with cayenne pepper (powdered) to keep squirrels out of her bird feeders. She bought a huge container from Amazon. Chickens can't taste it but squirrels and mice can and it's actually good for your chickens immune system, circulation and nutrient absorption. Some say it's a natural dewormer, but I'm not so sure about that. Anyway, I think your plan for crumbles and cayenne has a good chance of working.

 

[ameraucana 25]

Coopworx works for me you.

 

[redinator]

Coopworx works for me you.

I hadn't seen these yet. Only problem is I don't think young chicks would be able to reach them. Do you use different feeders for young chicks, or do they eat the stuff the older birds spill?

 

[IntiInti]

I stopped the rats from eating my feed using the Grandpa Feeder. However, your idea of the plywood box with an automatic door is great! You could accommodate whichever feeder your hens like and have it accessible only when they are out.

 

[redinator]

I stopped the rats from eating my feed using the Grandpa Feeder. However, your idea of the plywood box with an automatic door is great! You could accommodate whichever feeder your hens like and have it accessible only when they are out.

I have treadle feeder, which stopped the mice but the squirrels were still getting into it. So far switching to crumbles instead of pellets seemed to do the trick.