Now what?! Wild birds stuck in netting

[z3lda3]

Hi, so my chicken yard is complete finally. Cattle fencing (I think) covered with hardwire mesh going a ft into ground. A canopy of tree branches overhead for excellent shade. It’s huge space and just perfect. I covered the yard top area in netting for aerial predators. Sigh before I put up the netting cardinals made a habit of eating left over scratch/feed once my chickens were in the coop. Now that the netting is up, baby cardinals are getting caught and tangled in the netting. I’ve rescued 3 in two days. I’m thinking about putting a bird feeder near the run, maybe that will help? Anything I can do to prevent these babies from doing this?

 

[Kiki]

Can you take a picture of the netting they are getting stuck in?

 

[z3lda3]

Can you take a picture of the netting they are getting stuck in?

It’s dark atm but this is what I used just nylon bird netting. The squares are 1x1 in.

 

[wrathsfarm]

Just a heads up, bird feeders attract predators especially bears if they're in your area.
And the more wild birds you attract, the more diseases your bringing in. You've got some diseases already with the locals eating the feed and scratch but be mindful of the migrators stopping by.

Couple more things to stress about for ya...

 

[z3lda3]

Just a heads up, bird feeders attract predators especially bears if they're in your area.
And the more wild birds you attract, the more diseases your bringing in. You've got some diaeases already with the locals eating the feed and scratch but be mindful of the migrators stopping by.

Couple more things to stress about for ya...

Right! Another reason I wanted the netting up. Crows and pigeons were stopping by too. I love wild birds but I’ve got enough stress to deal with, I don’t need their bird flu or whatever else they carry to worry about. Yes we have black bears, raccoons..I’m in the country COUNTRY so you name it I’ve got it. Ok bird feeders a no. Anything I can do? I plan on hardwire as the top eventually but atm I’ve got the netting.

 

[Penpal]

After the first time they are likely to avoid the netting. Just keep picking them out.

I think they just can't see it, or can't judge the space of the netting holes. You might be able to cover the area with a very light piece of dark fabric so they learn to avoid the area.

 

[z3lda3]

Right! Another reason I wanted the netting up. Crows and pigeons were stopping by too. I love wild birds but I’ve got enough stress to deal with, I don’t need their bird flu or whatever else they carry to worry about. Yes we have black bears, raccoons..I’m in the country COUNTRY so you name it I’ve got it. Ok bird feeders a no. Anything I can do? I plan on hardwire as the top eventually but atm I’ve got the netting.

Also @wrathsfarm why do you they already have diseases??? What kind, is it a sure thing? What do I do?? I’m freakin out!

 

[z3lda3]

After the first time they are likely to avoid the netting. Just keep picking them out.

I think they just can't see it, or can't judge the space of the netting holes. You might be able to cover the area with a very light piece of dark fabric so they learn to avoid the area.

Yeah you may be right, because it’s just the babies. I’d have to get a tarp big enough but you think that would work?

 

[wrathsfarm]

Also @wrathsfarm why do you they already have diseases??? What kind, is it a sure thing? What do I do?? I’m freakin out!

Don't freak out. What I'm saying is whatever diseases the local wild birds MIGHT be carrying, your birds have it already from mingling together daily.

You can't stop diseases coming in, without total lockdown. You just want to decrease your risks.

 

[z3lda3]

Don't freak out. What I'm saying is whatever diseases the local wild birds MIGHT be carrying, your birds have it already from mingling together daily.

You can't stop diseases coming in, without total lockdown. You just want to decrease your risks.

Ohhh man! Just when I had relaxed a tiny bit, now this. Guess it’s back to scrutinizing my chickens poop, and heaven forbid one of my chickens sit down, I’ll convince myself it’s lethargic. Fun times over here!