Starlings

[Hen-Gen]

For about a year now I've had large numbers of starlings going into my sheds when I open the pop holes. I have vermin proof feeders so I can only assume that they have learnt that if they sit on the grid in large numbers then their combined weight opens it.
I don't begrudge them a bit of food but they poo everywhere which is unacceptable.
Anyone got any ideas as to how I can solve this problem?

 

[Marigold]

I'm not sure what your setup is like, HenGen. Do you mean that they enter when you open the door to the shed in order to get to the popholes in the coops inside? The only way to keep wild birds out is to have a fully meshed run, I suppose.

 

[chrismahon]

Unfortunately the only way will be to shoot one or two Hen-Gen. We had a similar problem in England with Starlings and I was advised as said because they have strong flock ties and shooting one scares the entire flock away. You may find that there is actually more than one flock, even though they are all together.

Big problem as they can potentially bring in disease and parasites.

 

[Hen-Gen]

I'm not sure what your setup is like, HenGen. Do you mean that they enter when you open the door to the shed in order to get to the popholes in the coops inside? The only way to keep wild birds out is to have a fully meshed run, I suppose.

No runs. Everything free ranges outside of the breeding season, except for the cockerels. So the starlings go in when the pop holes are open all day.

Sounds like a possibility, chrismahon. I have previously tried the same tactic with a child's plastic tennis racket but maybe the bang accentuates the effect.

 

[Marigold]

Sounds like a possibility, chrismahon. I have previously tried the same tactic with a child's plastic tennis racket but maybe the bang accentuates the effect.

Sounds good exercise, anyway. What's your best score?

 

[Hen-Gen]

An update.

I was discussing this ongoing problem with a neighbour (actually lives two miles away) and he says construct a wire netting tunnel about 30ins long that goes in front of each pop hole. Apparently the hens soon learn to use the tunnel but the starlings never do, trying to get through the netting then giving up and not returning.
I’ll report back.