New members decided to join the flock…wild sparrows

[RiDaGeckoGuy]

Wild house sparrows decided that my flock was great for them and none of my chickens care they are in an in closed run and somehow the sparrows can fit through the 1 inch wire gaps and I’m not going to rewire my coop so could someone please help me

 

[PaisleyD]

You could try putting a fake bird in the coop (Hawk, Owl ETC.) Make sure your chickens aren't scared of it (put it on the ground and dump some food around it and leave it be for an hour or so) other than that I don't think there would be any other way to keep them out if you won't re-wire it

 

[Folly's place]

Wild sparrows are not a good addition to your coop! We have them here, rotten little bringers of poultry mites, at least, miserable! Our problem is that they fly through the door when it's open for the birds to free range.
And the chickens don't care, blast it!
We borrowed a sparrow trap from a neighbor, and only the mice went in, and ate the bait. Not a single sparrow!
Mary

 

[RiDaGeckoGuy]

Wild sparrows are not a good addition to your coop! We have them here, rotten little bringers of poultry mites, at least, miserable! Our problem is that they fly through the door when it's open for the birds to free range.
And the chickens don't care, blast it!
We borrowed a sparrow trap from a neighbor, and only the mice went in, and ate the bait. Not a single sparrow!
Mary

Is that why no matter how many times I treat for mites they don’t go away

 

[Folly's place]

That's been true here. From January to June 2022, our chickens were confined to their coop and roofed run, because of AI. No mites! Once the birds free ranged again, and the sparrows were in their coop, mites returned. Really dislike those sparrows!!!
Mary

 

[RiDaGeckoGuy]

That's been true here. From January to June 2022, our chickens were confined to their coop and roofed run, because of AI. No mites! Once the birds free ranged again, and the sparrows were in their coop, mites returned. Really dislike those sparrows!!!
Mary

I don’t have the money to rewire what do I do about the mites

 

[Folly's place]

Permethrin spray or dust, or the much more expensive spinosad spray. I'm using permethrin here. And plan to get the hardware cloth when you can!
Mary

 

[RiDaGeckoGuy]

Permethrin spray or dust, or the much more expensive spinosad spray. I'm using permethrin here. And plan to get the hardware cloth when you can!
Mary

I dust it but it never works and we have sprayed too

 

[Folly's place]

Treat every seven to ten days, and realize that those sparrows are bringing them in. I hope to trap and spray the sparrows too...
Mary

 

[RiDaGeckoGuy]

If I trap I will cull the invasive birds like house sparrows and treat native