Post by lildinkem on Feb 13, 2011 14:20:02 GMT -5
Since Mid December I have been feeding the neighborhood flock of Starlings (hundreds) and Cardinals. I thought their a migratory bird that eventually would move on. About three days ago I just had all I could take. I was running out about every 5 mins to bang on a garbage can lid, chucking rocks, flingin sticks. Screaming. And these Starlings would fly up and circle around only to come back and go back to town eating all my feed in my feeders. I was noticing that every outside feeder would be empty at the end of each and every day. No matter how full it was, or even after it was depleated. They would fly in and stand amongst my birds cr@pping, possibly sharing parasites. Eating the dust in these feeders or on the ground. I had no idea what to do. Then for what ever reason I mentioned on BYC that a friend's Grandps who lived over 100 years ago would use Rice. I thought, what the heck I'll try anything. So, I bought a 20# bag of DRIED RICE for $17 at Walmart. Went and put some into 2 garbage can lids (incase you do not know I like using garbage cans for outside coops in my tiny 8' by 8' pens instead of building fancy looking heavy coops and now using the garbage can lids for this battle) mixed some chix feed in with the rice.
I wrote on the BYC LF Heritage thread my suggestion, and most all said that would not work and it was an ole myth. And IF anything these birds would thank me for a better treat then the feed I was puttin out. That nite after I put out about 12 lbs of the DRIED RICE I did see hundred of these Starlings hanging out and chowing down. Ate about 2/3's of what I put out.
Then one very nice man wrote me that nite in a PM on BYC and shared this suggestion that I thought I would share on our clubs general board. I know Terra has been hit by predators, hope this helps.
"Set a small can of Golden Marlin Fly Bait out and about 1 to2 foot away put out a small can of Coca-Cola just keep it out of reach of all animals you don't want to "get rid of". (also works on coons. opossums and other animals)"
Now I really wanted to try this. Only one problem. These dang birds have not comeback full bore since the nite I put out the 12 lbs of DRIED RICE. The very next day I may have seen at the most 30 or 40 for the entire day. Not hundreds like the nite before. Most likely they moved on. And I am sure were happy that they had their fill of the free DRIED RICE. Yesterday I seen 2 Starlings flying thru and NOT coming down for any of the food in any of the feeders and especially not interested in the DRIED RICE. My feeders at nite when I shut down the pens are still partially full, and not empty.
I doubt that what I did had any effect. But, I do want to share the nice BYCer's idea. And let everyone who I asked IF they had any suggestions where I am at in my now ended battle.
I hope this thread may help some who fight COON or POSSUM and especially these tiny Vultures who plagues my property for over a month.
Please anyone who has any other thoughts on how to combat Starlings & Cardinals to share your thoughts on this thread. that is why we are here. To learn from others (my) mistakes.
I wrote on the BYC LF Heritage thread my suggestion, and most all said that would not work and it was an ole myth. And IF anything these birds would thank me for a better treat then the feed I was puttin out. That nite after I put out about 12 lbs of the DRIED RICE I did see hundred of these Starlings hanging out and chowing down. Ate about 2/3's of what I put out.
Then one very nice man wrote me that nite in a PM on BYC and shared this suggestion that I thought I would share on our clubs general board. I know Terra has been hit by predators, hope this helps.
"Set a small can of Golden Marlin Fly Bait out and about 1 to2 foot away put out a small can of Coca-Cola just keep it out of reach of all animals you don't want to "get rid of". (also works on coons. opossums and other animals)"
Now I really wanted to try this. Only one problem. These dang birds have not comeback full bore since the nite I put out the 12 lbs of DRIED RICE. The very next day I may have seen at the most 30 or 40 for the entire day. Not hundreds like the nite before. Most likely they moved on. And I am sure were happy that they had their fill of the free DRIED RICE. Yesterday I seen 2 Starlings flying thru and NOT coming down for any of the food in any of the feeders and especially not interested in the DRIED RICE. My feeders at nite when I shut down the pens are still partially full, and not empty.
I doubt that what I did had any effect. But, I do want to share the nice BYCer's idea. And let everyone who I asked IF they had any suggestions where I am at in my now ended battle.
I hope this thread may help some who fight COON or POSSUM and especially these tiny Vultures who plagues my property for over a month.
Please anyone who has any other thoughts on how to combat Starlings & Cardinals to share your thoughts on this thread. that is why we are here. To learn from others (my) mistakes.