Woodypk Posted July 30, 2011 Report Share Posted July 30, 2011 Before you ask, Yes I have read them. But having a little debate with myself whether what I want to do falls in with the licences. I live in town and I have a fairly big garden for a town house (about 1/5th of an acre) and I own 8 chickens and 4 rabbits which live at the bottom of the garden. My question is, Does shooting pigeons in my garden fall into the category of protecting wild birds or foodstuffs for wild birds. The trouble I have, is that when we let the chickens out to roam the garden, there always ends up being a team of woodies eating all the corn in the chicken feeder. The licence says about 'protecting foodstuffs for wild birds' but im still not sure and don't want to be doing something illegal. It's just annoying having to keep buying more feed when it seems to to the woodies as they get fatter and fatter and always are comming back for more. What is your oppinion? Thanks guys, Tom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apache Posted July 30, 2011 Report Share Posted July 30, 2011 If you have tried other methods to get rid of them then crack on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodypk Posted July 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2011 The only thing i've tried is to let the dogs out, but they are so used to the chickens and the rabbits they don't even bother the woodies. We tried netting the area off but the chickens destroy the nets when they 'fly' around. There is no other way to resolve this that isn't any more cost saving or less time consuming. Shooting them just seems so much easier/cheaper and the most efficient way. Thanks for the reply, Tom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kes Posted July 30, 2011 Report Share Posted July 30, 2011 I have the same problem - I shoot them with a PCP - they are so fat you cant miss !!!! Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadioles Posted July 30, 2011 Report Share Posted July 30, 2011 Unsatisfactory though it may seem, the law is a bit grey and could be interpreted for or against depending on the personal views of the Magistrate and the level of competence or incompetence of the defence and prosecuting councel. Bottom line is - are your neighbours or anyone else likely to complain? If you can quietly get on with it, nothing to worry about. If you are overlooked by Mrs Nosy pigeon hugging vegan, put up with the increased feed corn consumption. Headline.....: Murderous gun crazed pigeon killer seen firing wildly in suburban back garden - my children were terrified when a blood soaked wounded pigeon flapped dying over the fence. Hey ho.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poontang Posted July 30, 2011 Report Share Posted July 30, 2011 My question is, Does shooting pigeons in my garden fall into the category of protecting wild birds or foodstuffs for wild birds. How 'wild' are your chickens? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colster Posted July 30, 2011 Report Share Posted July 30, 2011 Dadioles has the answer, I'd generally go with the old adage - Shoot it and shut up about it but if neighbours are likely to give you grief then it's pause for thought. ...Just out of curiosity, why are you feeding your chickens corn? Are they table birds? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted July 30, 2011 Report Share Posted July 30, 2011 Dadioles has the answer, I'd generally go with the old adage - Shoot it and shut up about it but if neighbours are likely to give you grief then it's pause for thought. ...Just out of curiosity, why are you feeding your chickens corn? Are they table birds? I thought corn had been the staple diet of poultry for the past 1000 years !!!, I've certainly fed mine on it for the past 50 years. Sold by my feed merchant as mixed poultry corn. That together with layers pellets has done them well for many a year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colster Posted July 31, 2011 Report Share Posted July 31, 2011 I thought corn had been the staple diet of poultry for the past 1000 years !!!, I've certainly fed mine on it for the past 50 years. Sold by my feed merchant as mixed poultry corn. That together with layers pellets has done them well for many a year. I tend to only feed corn when I'm bringing a bird up in weight (either when it's very young or it's for the table rather than eggs). My point was really that for the layers I just give them layer's pellets then a treat of usually whole barley or wheat. That way they eat it immediately and pigeons don't go after the layers pellets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted July 31, 2011 Report Share Posted July 31, 2011 I tend to only feed corn when I'm bringing a bird up in weight (either when it's very young or it's for the table rather than eggs). My point was really that for the layers I just give them layer's pellets then a treat of usually whole barley or wheat. That way they eat it immediately and pigeons don't go after the layers pellets. Ah,I'm with you. We both do exactly the same then !!!!. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKPoacher Posted July 31, 2011 Report Share Posted July 31, 2011 The only thing i've tried is to let the dogs out, but they are so used to the chickens and the rabbits they don't even bother the woodies. We tried netting the area off but the chickens destroy the nets when they 'fly' around. There is no other way to resolve this that isn't any more cost saving or less time consuming. Shooting them just seems so much easier/cheaper and the most efficient way. Thanks for the reply, Tom. Except that all you are doing is creating vacancies for other pigeons. There is an endless supply of them out there all waiting to move in wherever there is food about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yankeedoodlepigeon Posted July 31, 2011 Report Share Posted July 31, 2011 (edited) Except that all you are doing is creating vacancies for other pigeons. There is an endless supply of them out there all waiting to move in wherever there is food about. More Pigeon on the table than Chicken then.. :blink: Edited July 31, 2011 by yankeedoodlepigeon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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