Birds in the barn

[snowfool]

I can tell you why you need to keep wildlife out of your barn - they cause fires and I'm speaking from firsthand experience. They chew wiring, or in our case, they can pull hay or bedding over wiring if it's not in conduit and cause it to overheat and spark a blaze. We were very lucky 10 or so years ago that we did not lose our barn and our horses when fire broke out one morning. Trapping wildlife is extremely tricky and not for the faint of heart - I know this because I trapped two skunks in a humane trap years ago and relocated them to a nature park a few miles from me. Since then I have discovered that it is against state law (GA) to relocate wildlife unless I am a conservationist or a licensed rehabber. So now I am relegated to either trying to live with the fear of the damage they can cause or kill them. And let's not forget that new bird moms can and will swoop down and strike/peck humans or animals. Birds and other wildlife are a big nuisance to a barn. Try having one swoop down in your face while working a horse and it will make you look at things quite differently.

I'm not unsympathetic to their small lives which is why I relocated skunks, rescued the live baby bird that fell on our concrete floor and could not be put back in it's nest (took it to a rehabber), rescued and homed two baby squirrels that didn't have their eyes open (again on the concrete floor). But it's best to try and keep them out of the barn before they hurt themselves or your property

Silly Filly - I have no sage advice for you concerning the birds - if you have someone that's a good shot - that may be your best bet.

My final word of advice - the old saying - don't feed the trolls.

Susan

[Aptor Hours Two]

I think that CA ASB gave good advice. That is what we used to have on the boat to keep the seagulls off...well sort of something like that sort of thing at least

[Bigsky]

Originally Posted by Silly Filly

Has anyone ever put really expensive boots on a scarecrow?

No but I bet it could be done.

[SimplyaSteel]

And here I was thinking that internet bullying was only a problem with adolescents.

What happened to being the bigger person...?

[vlayne]

Originally Posted by Aptor Hours Two

I think that CA ASB gave good advice. That is what we used to have on the boat to keep the seagulls off...well sort of something like that sort of thing at least

You had pictures of scarecrows on your boat?

[Aptor Hours Two]

Originally Posted by vlayne

You had pictures of scarecrows on your boat?

No Tiffani we had an owl which in theory seagulls were afraid of. It is the same theory as a scarecrow though. Feel free to PM Tiff if you have any further questions on scarecrows though because I'm not sure I'm making myself clear and I understand that is a failure on my part.

[Rockyroad]

Of course you dont have to kill the pigeons, but in our case its a plywood covering the rafters, so it doesnt hurt the barn if I miss. I counted 8 pairs the other day. Seriously. I wont poison them, cause what if other animals grabbed the poisoned bird? A quick death seems the most effective. The thing is that some of the birds are from an original pair of homing pigeons which got lost or something and took roost. These young ones will NOT leave the barns. If I wing one, and it falls- the dog will grab it and give a quick shake. He doesnt molest/harass the birds otherwise. Its not for everyone, but it is effective, quick and cheap. I also pheasant and goose hunt, so Im a fairly decent shot.