Crow-proof feeders

Garlicbreath · Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 8:25 am Post subject: Crow-proof feeders

I've a couple of feeding stations in the garden and get a great variety of birds visiting. However, in the last few weeks the rooks have changed from occasional visitors to pests. They're emptying all my feeders in no time. They went through 10 kilos of seed in two days last week. I've had to leave them empty although I hate doing that. Has anyone any tricks to keep them away?

Belfast · Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 10:16 am Post subject:

CRPF-43 Crow/Magpie/ Squirrel Proof Feeder

Baltinanima,
Roundwood,
Bray,
Co.Wicklow,

Tel : 01-2818037/01-2019981

Fax : 01-2818067

Email : dundin@eircom.net

http://www.dunneanddineen.ie/wildlife.htm

Garlicbreath · Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 3:01 pm Post subject:

Thanks Belfast. I was hoping someone would come up with a slightly cheaper option Very Happy

I'm going to experiment with some fencing wire this weekend.

Roger · Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 11:19 am Post subject:

Hello,

i actually have the misfortune of having a rookery right beside my garden and have been trying to find a way to keep crows and jackdaws away for the last 2 years (without hurting them of course)... a constant battle i must say! Mad

However last year i had an idea and since i must say i have had very little visits from them on the feeders. They still go around the garden but can't get at the feeders...

What i did was, i bought chicken wire and a roll of thick wire. with the thick wire i made 3 circles wide enough to put the feeder in then i wrapped the chicken wire around the circles i made and tied it up to the circles so it all stays in place.
Then i just put a lenght of the thick wire across the top(to hold the feeder inside and to attach the hook to hold it up and there you go!! Cool

You need to make sure there's enough space between the feeders and the chicken wire though as the jackdaws can put their heads through it and get at the feeder if it's too close.

I hope i described this well but if not let me know and i will post a few pics of the ones i made to see if it helps...

Good luck!

paddy mac fisto · Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 11:45 am Post subject: Scaldy crows

This was discussed on Mooney goes wild a couple of weeks ago. The ornithologist on said to hang the feeders from elastic bands. When the crow lands on it it will shake up and down in a manner they dislike and wont want to land on it, whereas your average bluetit doesn't weigh enough to cause much movement.

Sive · Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 12:43 pm Post subject:

What a brilliant idea about the elastic bands! I think that is exactly what is called lateral thinking!
( I'd have probably gone for the wire cage method and not given it a second thought )
Thanks for that Paddy.

paddy mac fisto · Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 1:23 pm Post subject: Scaldy crows

Occasionally, there are rewards to putting up with Mooney and some of his stuffy co-hosts Laughing

Protein · Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 3:55 pm Post subject:

I had similar problems with the crows and the suet balls I left out over winter.

They tear the plastic wrapping and make off with the whole ball.

I tried lengthening the string from the tree where they were hanging, but all they did was sit on the branch, and lift the string up with their beak and clasp it with their claws, and so forth, the the ball was in their reach.

I made the string even longer and tied to a thinner branch, but they congregated underneath it and took turns picking at it till the plastic tore.

Next year, I plan to try something else hang the ball from a "Y" shaped string.. see if that helps....boy, they propel you to think, don't they

Rolling Eyes

me

ps - should I be leaving my peanut feeders empty over this period? I feel young birds will learn that food comes from the feeders and they won't know better....

Sive · Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 4:27 pm Post subject:

The current thinking is to leave the peanuts out, as they give the parent birds a quick high-energy snack while they gather food for their young.

Liparis · Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 9:38 am Post subject:

Peanuts aren't the best food to offer when young are being fed, they find it extremely difficult to digest.
Bill.

Garlicbreath · Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 9:49 am Post subject:

Thanks for all the tips everyone, I never did get around to doing anything about this at the weekend - got sidetracked by sun, beer, BBQs, etc Laughing

I love the tip about elastic bands. Definitely going to try that one. No matter what happens it'll be hilarious watching the rooks trying to work it out!

Roger · Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 9:57 am Post subject:

I love the idea of elastic bands... will definitely try this in the next few days!!

As for leaving Peanut feeders full throughout the year... i would say yes do leave them out. I spend a lot of time watching the birds in my garden and i can tell you that any parents are very happy to come for a quick snack.
And i can also tell you that most parents don't feed their young peanuts until they are fully ready for it... i have blue tits, chaffinches, sparrows and greenfinches all with their young and they still feed their young with insects (and maggots which i also provide) from the garden. Lately the sparrows are showing the young how to get to the feeders but the young are pretty much looking like adults (except for the wing flapping!)

Like any parents they seem to know well what to give their young!

Roger · Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 9:02 am Post subject:

Hi Paddy Mac,

i'm sorry to say that i tried to hang my feeders with elastic bands and this has not worked to keep the Jackdaws aways Sad

I had three of them hanging to the feeder at once and they did not seem a bit bothered by the bouncing or spinning!! The feeder was emptied within the day, by the time i got home from work Mad

And from the "presents left over around the feeder it seems the whole rookery had a right ol' feed!! Evil or Very Mad

So i went back to my good old reliable chicken wire...