I am having the same problem as one of my near neighbours actually feeds the pigeons in his garden then they all visit my garden feeding on the bits dropped from my feeders. It wasn't so bad when I had my old cat which always managed to catch a couple of pigeons each week which I fed to a Fox that visits my workplace but sadly she passed away. Even the local Sparrowhawks which now target the feral pigeons as they have seen off all the Collared doves can't make a dent in the 25-30 pigeons that visit my garden each day. The only [ legal] thing that I can think of to stop the pigeons getting a free meal in my garden is to build a 2m x 2m x 300mm high cage from 40mm chicken wire positioned below my feeders so when the seeds drop down only the smaller birds will be able to get to them. It might look unsightly but it is either that or I have to threaten a neighbour
Also, I have noticed that many of the Pigeons have something wrong with their feet. Many limp as their toes have curled up into a ball which seems to be infected.
Dave, since most town centres have almost eradicated pigeons, they seem to have gone to the suburbs. The only unsightly solution I could think of was a garden pond with a feeding station in the centre. On my original feeders I attached catch trays but the pigeons soon figured out a way to get the dropped feed from these. I went to the council's website to see what could be done but their solution was first to stop feeding the pigeons, if this didn't work they'd come out and affix spikes to your property to prevent then perching. They'd soon find another roof to perch on and I'd be very popular with my neighbours. A cage seems to be the best solution but I wonder how long it would be before the rats and mice turned up.
I am having the same problem as one of my near neighbours actually feeds the pigeons in his garden then they all visit my garden feeding on the bits dropped from my feeders. It wasn't so bad when I had my old cat which always managed to catch a couple of pigeons each week which I fed to a Fox that visits my workplace but sadly she passed away. Even the local Sparrowhawks which now target the feral pigeons as they have seen off all the Collared doves can't make a dent in the 25-30 pigeons that visit my garden each day. The only [ legal] thing that I can think of to stop the pigeons getting a free meal in my garden is to build a 2m x 2m x 300mm high cage from 40mm chicken wire positioned below my feeders so when the seeds drop down only the smaller birds will be able to get to them. It might look unsightly but it is either that or I have to threaten a neighbour
Also, I have noticed that many of the Pigeons have something wrong with their feet. Many limp as their toes have curled up into a ball which seems to be infected.
What about a grounded feeder cage? Like this or something similar: http://www.gardenbird.co.uk/Choice-Ground-Guard/Bird-Food/40-62-1501,default,pd.html
If you wanted the feeders to still be raised then I'm sure a cage under the feeders would still serve the same purpose.
That looks like a possible solution Joey. I have spent a fortune this year on different feeders, now it looks like I'll be spending a bit more, that's if my missus deems it suitable for the garden.
What about a grounded feeder cage? Like this or something similar: http://www.gardenbird.co.uk/Choice-Ground-Guard/Bird-Food/40-62-1501,default,pd.html
If you wanted the feeders to still be raised then I'm sure a cage under the feeders would still serve the same purpose.
Since returning from the Middle East, I have erected a feeder station in my back garden. At first we were going through feed at an alarming rate, which was down to squirrels. I bought some squirrel proof feeders but the pigeons discovered a way to get feed out of these. My latest set of feeders seem to have soved that and the squirrel problem but the visiting finches etc are untidy feeders and drop bits on the lawn. The pigeons, being great opportunists, are gathering and feeding off these droppings. Today there were eighteen on my roof, just waiting for some droppings. In fact my neighbors have started asking if I'm keeping pigeons!
Does anyone have a good, legal, solution as how to get rid of the pigeons whilst still being able to feed the smaller birds?
A cage seems to be the best solution but I wonder how long it would be before the rats and mice turned up.
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