The Poultry Keeper

RobinJ · Joined: 16 Jun 2006 Posts: 7

Morning all

We've got a problem with squirrels! The shifty little b***ers are breaking into the coop and pinching all the eggs! We've only had one egg all week, so he's probably feeding a family somewhere.

I don't want to eliminate them, because I like having them in the garden, but at the same time its a bit out of order pinching all the eggs!!

Does anyone have any suggestions for keeping the squirrels at bay without hurting the girls?

Knobby · Posted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 10:11 am Post subject:

The only simple thing i can suggest, which may help is to put a curtain up in front of the entrance to the nest box ?

RobinJ · Joined: 16 Jun 2006 Posts: 7

Knobby · Posted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 10:35 am Post subject:

Doesnt have to be a floral curtain, just something to shut the light out of the nest box !!

RobinJ · Joined: 16 Jun 2006 Posts: 7

George · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London

You could try these tips (although with caution)

Squirrels
I have received a lot of questions about squirrels; mainly about them causing damage to plants, so I thought I would add the information I have found to the site.

For squirrels that are damaging trees, you can wrap the trunks with aluminium collars. It isn't attractive, but it prevents them from climbing the trees.

Controlling squirrels is difficult. A fine wire mesh wrap may be used to protect tulip bulbs, but, in most cases, you have to learn to live with the problem. In some countries they are protected by law and may only be trapped live and relocated. Repellents are only a short-term solution and they have to be constantly renewed. It is difficult to exclude squirrels from tree covered areas.

Tree bark, fruits, and nuts are important food sources for squirrels. Although squirrels can cause damage to vegetation they also have their advantages, as natural tree trimmers. They prune branches & twigs when feeding & making nests which promotes vegetation growth.

If, however, you want to keep squirrels away from your plants, try the following ideas:-

Plant your bulbs in a coating of cayenne pepper.

Spray squirrel repellent directly on the plants.

Place a 2 foot band of sheet metal (forming a cone, large opening downwards) around the trunk approximately 6 ft. off the ground. (For this to be effective, the tree needs to be at least 10 ft. from other trees.)

To deter squirrels from buildings -

rags soaked in ammonia

socks filled with mothballs (be careful with children/pets**)

cayenne pepper squirrel repellent

Recipe for squirrel repellent:-

1) 1 bottle (small) hot pepper sauce

2) 1 gallon water

3) water retentative (available from plant nursery) or 1 teaspoon of mild liquid detergent such as dishwashing detergent.

Spray this repellent on plants or anything you would like protected from chewing. Many commercial products designed to repel rodents are not effective. In fact, some say the animals actually eat more of the plants after the repellent is applied.

**Please remember that mothballs are toxic when ingested. Children's curiosity and bird's lack of smell can increase their chances of ingesting mothballs. Children and birds should not have access to the mothball filled socks.

Gardeners can make their own repellent by placing a handful of hot peppers in a large container and adding a quart of boiling water. Allow the peppers to soak overnight. Strain the peppers from the water and add a few drops of mild dish detergent to make a spray to protect the plants.

RobinJ · Joined: 16 Jun 2006 Posts: 7

Thanks for the info, George, its really interesting.

Now, can anyone here see how to combine these tactics with 3 inquisitive chickens and not end up with 3 very poorly chickens?

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

If you're going to use mothballs ~ can you not put them in an old sock or something and hang them just inside the coup ~ above the pop, or actually in the sock fixed to the roof.
If you're going for the liquid spray you could spray around the door frame of the cup maybe ~ or again the inside of the roof.
What do you think?

RobinJ · Joined: 16 Jun 2006 Posts: 7

Good suggestions so far!
All joking aside, I have heard that putting a strip curtain up over the door can deter the little devils.
But a sock full of mothballs certainly wont hurt hidden over the door either! It shouldn't bother the girls!

CP · Posted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 4:31 pm Post subject:

Mothballs are pretty smelly - you'll probably only need 1 in the sock above the pophole! Have a sniff & see what you think? Wink

Fortunately we haven't had a squirrel problem but we use curtain strips over the nestbox entrances just for the girls privacy. Wink

I know someone who had problems with crows & made a tunnel out of chicken wire which seemed to stop them - maybe it would work for squirrels too? At least until they work it out! Rolling Eyes

RobinJ · Joined: 16 Jun 2006 Posts: 7

CP · Posted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 4:46 pm Post subject:

You could also try hanging up CD's as the movement & flashing reflected light might deter them for a while.
But as you say, they are very clever & will probably work out that nothing is going to hurt them after a while.

You may have to keep changing things around, just to keep them confused! Wink

mojo · Posted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 7:23 pm Post subject:

bleach soaked rags hung up high enough not to be danger to kids and animals work but need damping every day miss one day and they come back...........my pal says it works for foxes...havent tried by myself

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

That's interesting that it might work for foxes too. Do you have to put fresh bleach on each day or just water wet them?

mojo · Posted: Sat Jun 17, 2006 10:24 am Post subject:

aint sure think more bleach will check over weekend