wood pigeons and other birds

[Sandra Verbreyt]

My chickens Babs and Margo are doing well. They get on well with my cocker spaniel Honey and my two rabbits. I have a device on the fence in the run to keep foxes away. My chickens have a free run of my garden during the day and are very much family pets. However, I have a BIG problem with the pigeons. Whenever Babs and Margo are away from their food the pigeons are coming down and having a feast. Any ideas on how to keep other birds away from my chickens food?

 

[BaJa]

I would recommend a scare crow. seems like the only option. or put feed in the coop. pigeons will stay out of there

 

[Sara Ranch]

I have two little, little guys that free range with the big boys, but eat different feed (starter feed due to age). I put them in a covered exercise kennel in the morning to give them supplemental feed. Then let them out for the day. If I give another feeding, they go in, I dump the feed on the ground, they eat, then leave. I do close the door because the bigger guys will come in and eat the feed.

My chickens don't starve. There's lots of greens and bugs out there for them to eat. When I do supplement with feed, I put it on the ground and they go for it. There's no opportunity for the other wildlife to get to it.

Would you consider feeding times, like you would for the family dog?

 

[Sandra Verbreyt]

I have two little, little guys that free range with the big boys, but eat different feed (starter feed due to age). I put them in a covered exercise kennel in the morning to give them supplemental feed. Then let them out for the day. If I give another feeding, they go in, I dump the feed on the ground, they eat, then leave. I do close the door because the bigger guys will come in and eat the feed.

My chickens don't starve. There's lots of greens and bugs out there for them to eat. When I do supplement with feed, I put it on the ground and they go for it. There's no opportunity for the other wildlife to get to it.

Would you consider feeding times, like you would for the family dog?

I feed them at about 4 in the afternoon and they spend the day roaming around the garden. The pigeons dont bother the chickens they just bother me when I see them eating my chickens food lol

 

[Sara Ranch]

I understand. With the amount of feed I go through -- and it's nothing compared to what others go through with the same number of animals -- it would be really bother me if the wildlife ate it!

Put the food out in a dish and after say, 15 minutes, take the dish away, even if it has food in it.

Mix up the time you feed them so the birds don't know where/when to gather for free food.

Put the food inside a covered shelter.

You have options!

 

[chickens really]

Get a Decoy Owl.....