Wild birds may carry diseases that can infect your chickens. Wild birds carry the avian flu, which can be spread to your flocks through contact with their feed and surrounding structures. Although birds can bring music and color to your yard, they can also cause chaos by eating plants, roosting in trees and leaving potentially dangerous droppings.
Things to scare birds away
Fright is another bird deterrent, no matter their motivation for making your property a home. Below is a list of potential solutions:
- Flags that move in the wind are the cheapest, most effective ways to scare birds.
- Predator statues such as lifelike scarecrows, owls, coyotes, snakes or cats that can be moved around every few days.
- Shiny objects such as old CDs, foil pans or silver reflective tape.
- Large colorful balls placed in the garden or from trees will look like eyes to birds.
- Loud noise, such as a wind chime.
How to get rid of birds naturally
- Baking soda: Sprinkle baking soda where you have noticed birds in your yard. They don’t like the feel of it under their toes.
- Chili pepper mixture: Mix 24 chili peppers (green or red) with half a gallon of water and a quarter cup of vinegar. Warm the mixture either in a crock pot or naturally outside in a container. Once mixed and cooled, add to a spray bottle and spray the contents on the areas the birds like to perch on. Respray every few days or after It rains.
- Bird netting: Place some bird netting over the area you want the birds to stay out of.
Scare the Wild Birds With Ornaments and Decoys
Add Shiny Objects. Some owners use shiny objects such as CDs, aluminum foil, or wind chimes to scare the wild birds away from their chickens’ coop. Hang these items from the ceiling, so they swing gently back and forth. The reflected light scares the birds, so they won’t enter the area.
Mount a Decoy. You can also use a decoy or any objects that look like a predator such as cats, owls, or larger prey of birds to scare them away. It can be made of wood, metal, or any material as long as it seems real.
Home Depot carries a good owl decoy whose head swivels. The motion helps to trick the wild birds into thinking the owl is watching them, ready to swoop down at any moment for a meal.
Put the decoy in an area that wild birds can easily see, but make sure to change the location frequently, so it seems more realistic. Otherwise, the birds can eventually get accustomed to it and will lose its effectiveness. Also, watch your chickens’ behavior to make sure the decoy is not upsetting them.
