[Fen]

We have 20 hens in a large outdoor run, with house for roosting and laying. We feed layers pellets, ad lib, from two feeders suspended from tree branches in the run. Starlings are now taking more food than the hens.
If we put the feeders inside the house will the small brained birds(hens)  eat from them?
Can anyone recommend a bird proof feeder which guinea fowl can access as well as the hens.
Same problem with water troughs. Full of starling poo.

[GrannieAnnie]

I know some people disagree, but we feed most of our girls indoors.  There are oly 2 lots of chooks with feeders outside, and that's because they sleep in a little ark and there's not enough room for their feeders!  But the birds have a field day with the pellets!!!

[woodside farm]

I had this problem recently, the way we solved it was to hang my sons old school blazer (on a coat hanger) on the fence, it blows about in the wind and we havn't had any back since. Or you could build a scarecrow.

Michelle

[GrannieAnnie]

I'll just stick Brian out there, he'd scare anyone off!!!!   

[chickenlady]

Awww bless him!  very funny though! 

Debbie

[SMD66]

we use a treadle feeder, they are great for keeping the feed vermin and bird proof,  not entirely sure though whether the guinea fowl would be heavy enough to operate the 'pedal'.  I would have thought so though. Any chance of moving the water from under the trees?  That should stop a lot of poo going into the water, or make a 'hat' to go on top.

[poppies]

We feed all of our birds inside as the jackdaws were taking it, also  helps with rodent problems

[Fen]

Thanks for the advice everybody. Ordered a treadle feeder from Ascot this morning - deliveryu on Monday