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RE: Keeping Sparrows out of Barn

Kaykaypw — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 21:40:15 GMT

I think they would be happy to have all the House Sparrows sent back to them. If I'm correct, aren't their populations declining rapidly?

Are the sparrows in the barns the House Sparrows or another species? We had White Crowned Sparrows out back this year, way cute and always welcome.

If the person with the problem can get a local falconer to come out a Hawk or maybe even an American Kestrel could clear it at least for the summer.

RE: Keeping Sparrows out of Barn

Gallus — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 18:09:21 GMT

I was trying not to place any blame, but now that you mention it, thanks for the European starling too. IMO, you guys get a pass due to the empire's role in scouring the globe, bringing back and improving so many breeds of poultry, hoofstock, dogs, rabbits and other animals, and plants. Of course the Dutch helped a lot too. Victoria's role in popularizing animal exhibitions was a big help. HM is still a racing pigeon fancier, so she's OK in my book. Philip has his Shires. Even the dweeby second-in-line has Highlanders, and is very interested in both rare breeds and modern agriculture, so we'll give you guys a break on the sparrow thing. Oh, I don't mind the Mute swans so much, but many of our state Fish and Game officials are all upset over that one too, so best watch your step! Blair's puppy dog submission to Bush didn't go over so well either.

BTW, are the sparrows and starlings as bad a problem there as here?

RE: Keeping Sparrows out of Barn

britboy — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 14:04:54 GMT

Wasn't it some darn British person that bought sparrows to the US?

RE: Keeping Sparrows out of Barn

Kaykaypw — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 19:09:38 GMT

Hi,

Cooper's Hawks can work well, but you need a falconer's permit. As far as the wild ones, not bothering the chickens - consider yourself lucky. When I was at the zoo we had one get into a walk through aviary and it took out our road runners, almost chicken size. I've also seen them take Fulvous Whistling Ducks and American Coots.

To destroy the nests I've used a pool skimmer with an extension - a big help for us shorties.

RE: Keeping Sparrows out of Barn

Gallus — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 17:18:18 GMT

I'm not sure where you got human hair from. I must have missed where it was mentioned, for I sure didn't read it. I disagree that hair doesn't work on some species. I've seen some results with dog hair discouraging deer. Like I said, nothing is foolproof, but some of the predator urines that are available seem to have some effect as well. Again, this is with species which have a well developed sense of smell, which most birds do not.

RE: Keeping Sparrows out of Barn

walls0stone — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:22:50 GMT

When you spoke of human hair... it made me want to say..that hair works for nothing on god's green earth. same with the vast amouts of critter poo you can get on line. It's not like the human sent isn't already in the area when we plant a garden ect. Infact some of the stuff we do as people will make animals come right out to you... ever seen a manure spreeder call turkey? In the winter that thing is a dinner bell!

So hair won't stop animals. Just saying

RE: Keeping Sparrows out of Barn

Gallus — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 06:39:54 GMT

Lots of interesting suggestions here. Fake owls or snakes may be somewhat helpful, but in order to be as effective as possible, they should be moved and repositioned frequently, and taken away altogether every few days, so that the birds do not becomed desensitized to their presence. For sparrows, the owls are not likely to pose much of a threat, as in nature small birds have learned that they are quick and agile enough to be able to evade a large cumbersome owl. They will often even mob such an owl, if it's found out during daylight. Fake sharp-shinned hawks, or Cooper's would probably be better, but I've never seen those available commercially. Fake rubber snakes in various sizes and colors might be helpful, and even if not moved frequently, may have some effect by lowering the sparrows' suspicions of snakes, making them easier prey for real snakes, assuming that you have such constrictors in your area. Dog and cat hair is unlikely to do much good for birds as it would for mammalian garden pests like deer and woodchucks, because most birds, with the exception of turkey vultures and a few others, have a very poor sense of smell. In fact, placing loads of hair around your barn may even attract sparrows, looking to use it as a nice soft nest lining to raise another brood. Studies have shown that domestic cat predation is a major cause of the decline of many songbird species, as well as other small animals. They are known to kill billions of birds every year. That would be nice if it were only sparrows, but no cat is going to differentiate between species. Using CDs and other dazzle items may have some deterrent also, but like with most pests, there is no one thing that will work to any great extent. It requires a multi approach program. I have had very good luck with one of these traps. they work very well. Too well in some cases, as it needs to be monitored frequently, especially on a hot day, to be sure that you don't capture any native species. http://www.sparrowtraps.net/

RE: Keeping Sparrows out of Barn

walls0stone — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 11:14:54 GMT

sparrow-side or however they spell it is a poision for non-song birds. I think those little black devils eat more grain than mice. Good luck with gimmics, the only way to keep them out is to thin the population.

Much like mice, you just can't build a building that will keep them out...and sooner or later they get used to fake owls and pie plates on string.

RE: Keeping Sparrows out of Barn

gcwpapillon — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:32:29 GMT

We have over...100 bats living in our very lg barn...We as have some piegons, and barn swallow....We don't mind them...They keep away a lot of bugs...any more of any of these though....we might have a problem...lol

RE: Keeping Sparrows out of Barn

Mare Owner — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:05:54 GMT

I've heard other people have success with ziploc baggies w/water in them, tacked up in their barn or garage. Haven't tried it myself yet!

We have a plastic owl that does nothing, and also a fake snake, again does nothing. Just collect dust.

RE: Keeping Sparrows out of Barn

dalejohn49 — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 06:00:39 GMT

I've had some success using old CD or DVD disks. It seems that birds respond mostly to the eyes of predator birds. If you watch the birds as they fly in, you'll notice that they make their initial landing in one general location. Then they stop and look around. Nail two disks (as if they were eyes) to a rafter near where they land. You may want to try several locations. It's not always a perfect solution in deterring a persistent nest builder, but I believe it works as well as a plastic owl.

RE: Keeping Sparrows out of Barn

Freedom's Pride — Sat, 31 May 2008 18:17:09 GMT

I have a 30 by 50 Pole barn that had a very bad problem with wild birds. I did have a fake owl up but one day the birds took it down for me.

I have barn cats and they have cleared up the issue and I leave the barn open at all times of the day. My first couple barn cats werent the best but I got some kittens at are non stop cathcers. So I think you just have to get some kittens and hope for the best. I also let the kittens feed of the birds a bit if they please. I do feed them a bit to keep them around but they will catch the birds instead of eat the food I give them.

RE: Keeping Sparrows out of Barn

stevemaharry — Sun, 04 May 2008 20:45:43 GMT

If you can find one you can try a real stuffed owl. Or if you have cats or know someone who does brush them and put their cat hairs in old nylons and hang them around in the rafters and the corners of the barns or other buildings. You could even try dog hair too. Normally I use these around gardens and homes to keep animal out of areas I don't want them to be. Even snake skin helps for some.

Hope this might help

RE: Keeping Sparrows out of Barn

Hoot — Sun, 04 May 2008 17:53:04 GMT

Painted,

I'm having the same problem my self. Still constructing my barn and everything from mocking birds to purple martins think its a big bird house.

I've run them out with a broom a few times and they just make a circle and slip back in the bak door. I hate to resort to a red rider BB gun...But the Owl decoy only gave them something else to pirch on.

Good luck...

Hoot

RE: Keeping Sparrows out of Barn

MrsKK — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 06:24:49 GMT

No suggestions for you, just looking to see what kind of replies you get, as we have quite a sparrow population in our barn, as well, split between open run-in for the cattle and horses, and chicken coop.

We do occasionally get a Cooper's hawk that will come in to hunt at dusk. She's about the size of a blue jay, so doesn't bother our hens at all. Wish she'd come a'hunting more often...

Keeping Sparrows out of Barn

PaintedPastures — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 14:49:45 GMT

We have a 45'x63' Morton Building and would appreciate any hints on keeping sparrows out of the barn

Its understandable that they would like it in there...spilled grain (which we try to keep to a minimum) and extra bits of hay which they can build their nests with. I just dont enjoy the poo that they leave behind and they like to build nests in the automatic door opener. We also try and keep the nests knocked out, but I think that they roof peaks at about 20'+...a little much for my 5'3" LOL

Do those plastic owls work? I have different places where I could move him around. We have some barn cats who have shown little to no interest in them. Any suggestions would be appreciated!