The Poultry Keeper

Aussie Chick · Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2005 12:18 pm Post subject: Wild Birds?

At this time of year we have a lot of birds, ( starlings, blue tits, robins, etc) all feeding in our garden. I have noticed the hens scratching around under neath the feeders and eating any seeds that are dropped or spilt.

Are there any problems with contamination or disease passed through to my chickens, especially as they are scratching around under the feeders ( there must be bird poosies there) ???

We also have a Robin with eggs in the garden, I've noticed the hens really run after the starlings if they land on the grass, will they eat the fledglings?

CP · Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2005 12:31 pm Post subject:

There are risks of cross-contamination between wild birds & chickens, but I think as long as you worm regularly & generally keep your birds as healthy as you can, the risk is minimal. Our chickens love the wild bird food & always scratch around under the bird table when out in the garden. Very Happy

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

yes, mine do the same ~ out of the run straight to beneath the bird table.
The other weekend there was a squirrel on there eating the nuts and the mummy took her chicks there. When the squirrel went she lost interest, but as soon as she saw him come back she went there again. Thankfully he was more intrested in the nuts than the babies

Lisa · Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2005 1:43 pm Post subject:

I have a sparrow invasion!! They drink from the chooks water bowl and they sit IN the pellets while they eat Confused

The only way to keep them separate would be to keep the chickens permanently in a secure and enclosed run, which is not something I'd choose to do.

I make sure the chooks get extra healthy stuff (greens, bio yogurt, vitamins and minerals etc) as I believe that this will help keep their immune system in tip top condition to fight off anything they could possibly pick up. And I do worm them more than twice a year - and I like to think I worm the local sparrow population at the same time too Laughing

Technically there must be an increased risk - but life is risky... And so far I have no reason to think my chooks have caught anything from the wild birds (but if I find they've been bringing Tilly long grass and stuffing it down her crop until its blocked, there'll be hell to pay Wink

)

Knobby · Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2005 4:37 pm Post subject:

Ive had a pair of pigeons living in the garden for the past few years, and just recently Mr pigeon has started thinking hes a buff orp, spending most of his time IN the pen with the chooks, usually following them round, he hast started cockadoodledoing yet tho' !!.......do you think i should discourage this? They are supposed to be vermin after all ??

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

hi Knobby, I don't think I would be encouraging him to be in the pen with the chickens.
I think if you want the chickens to free range then it's something you have to put up with, that there are other birds in the garden, but I wouldn't let them go in the pen. I have wood pigeons come in my garden and I have to admit I try to shoo them out, I much prefer the little birds and these are just a pest.

Aussie Chick · Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2005 4:55 pm Post subject:

Thanks for your replies. Very Happy

I'm pleased there's no real problem. However I would like to get rid of the Magpies. I can't stand them and I wouldn't like it if they ate any eggs. I don't really like Pigeons either, especially after they ate all my sweetcorn last year off the Lottie!

knobby, why don't you eat him??

Knobby · Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2005 4:55 pm Post subject:

Ok......time for the GUN !!! Shocked

Aussie Chick · Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2005 4:59 pm Post subject:

Actually secret time ( READ NO FURTHER IF YOU LOVE PIGEONS)
I ate Pigeon for Lunch!( First time) I had real satisfaction, a little revenge for the sweetcorn! It was good, better tasting than I expected!

Shoot away Knobby!

Knobby · Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2005 5:01 pm Post subject:

I can shoot most things AC....but i think of these 2 pigeons as my pets now......ever tasted magpie.......i shoot quite a few of them !!! Very Happy

Aussie Chick · Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2005 5:04 pm Post subject:

No never tried Magpie, but if they steel any of my hens eggs I might be. I have friends with a Larsen, might have to borrow it.

Have you eaten them?

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

can you not net your run to keep the magpies out ? Mine is an odd shape encompassing a bush I didn't want to take out as the chicks like it, so I bought some fruit cage woven netting and covered the whole thing. Keeps things in and things out

Aussie Chick · Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2005 5:25 pm Post subject:

I don't have a run. The hens have full run of the garden! We don't have a lot of space so I just let them out all day. Our fences are 6 ft high and secure so they are safe, but anything can fly in! I will probably think about making a run during the autumn so the Hens don't dig up too many bulbs etc.

jaydee67 · Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2005 6:14 pm Post subject:

What do you use to worm your hens?

Lisa · Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2005 7:57 am Post subject:

I use Flubenvet for worming.