I am having a problem with the squirrels. I made a new coop and run with wire underneath it all. but they fit through the wire and burrow underneath the hen house. I like to feed the chickens by throwing it on the ground. I don't like the feeders. Anyways I see the squirrels in there eating everything that they possibly can. And they are eating more than the chickens. As soon as I walk away from the coop 8 squirrels pop up out of nowhere. My rooster even tried to attack a squirrel and almost lost his life. I tried the gassers but they throw them out of the holes. So now I have fallen to the pellet gun. It does not kill them but sure does make them go away for a few days. I would like to know some other way to drive off the squirrels before they take over. They even try to get at my brooding chicks which of course I would kill the squirrel if I had the chance. Please give me something else to do besides kill them off.Thanks

Im not an expert in this but i probaly know how to do this. You should buy a live trap. they are only about $20.00 at Mclendons.You should set it up right out of the reach of the chickens and put some chicken food in it. Me and my dad where trying out our live trap and almost killed a Squirrel. They will kill themselves trying to get out.Watch your trap verry carfully. dont trap when your not home We had to raise ours back to health to keep it alive. we named it Shurley the Squirrel.
PS.:P contact me on this little message page and tell me how it worked.

Sorry i have to post a second message but you also have to drive your squirrel that you caght at least 20-30 miles from your house.

Is is not possible to use wire with smaller holes?

Steve, it is but a live trap is more efficent and squirrels might be able to chew right through it. plus this way you could stop worrying about it all together.

Through the wire. :)

Guy, sorry but I don't have better advice. My neighbor forewarned me about animals living under his coop so I purposely put my coop up about 8 inches high on pier blocks. The chickens like to go under to rest and I can easily get under there with a rake in case of an unwanted guests.

Did you say you had wire floors? Another friend told me that he had to double-wire the floors to make the holes even smaller than 1" because racoons would reach through and pull the chickens out piece by piece.

Thankfully, I have never had a squirrel problem. If I did, I might look into one of those ultrasonic devices as long as they did not bother the chickens.

Good idea Steve but the advice isn't for me! But i havn't built a coop yet so you just helped me out alot. By the way, what ultrasonic deveices?

Sincerely,
Guy

There are various devices that use high/low (?) frequency sound waves to deter "critters". I've seen them advertised in the farmer's almanac and other gardening magazines. I don't have any direct experience with these but I have a relative who's house is on top of an ant hill. After failing with the various methods of baiting and spraying with poison, the only thing that finally kept the ants out of the kitchen was a little device that plugged into the wall outlet.

I don't know what effect, if any, these will have on birds or more specifically chickens.

if your a chicken owner, do you know of any chickens that lay odd,big,or colorfull eggs? I already have Rhoade Island Reds,Golden laced Wyndotte,Barred Rock,Arauconas and i am getting Buff Orpingtons tomorrow.My mom says i have a limit of 12.I already have my others chosen for their beauty.Are there any more egg layers i should know about, if you know of any or if you could direct me to someone who does it would be most appreciated.
Also, how do you get your E-mail address on your name?

Thanks,
Guy

Guy, Australorps are very good layers, big brown eggs, and look good too. Marans lay very dark brown eggs, but not so many, I think.
If you want your name to link to your e-mail address, you have to change your "User Profile" under "Utilities" on the left. Anny.