How to rid huge barn of birds?

[drssg]

Our barn has lots of birds in it. IMO, you can either fight with them for the rest of your life, or you can accept some bird poop, like the current owners have done.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

Birds are fine. We feed them all winter and have 50 birdhouses everywhere, but they are nasty in a building. I wouldn't feed a horse hay with bird sh*t all over it. It's very much a health hazard also.

 

[drssg]

I've had horses for most of my life, and I have never even known anyone that keeps their barn locked up so tight that birds can't come inside. If you don't plan to keep any animals in the barn, you might be OK.

I think the biggest problem with bird crap is that people don't like to look at it. I don't care for it either, but after hauling out a trailer load of horse manure every day, it doesn't seem like that big of a deal to me.

 

[tacticalturnip]

BB gun, unfortunately. Something real light, light a Daisy.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

I've had horses for most of my life, and I have never even known anyone that keeps their barn locked up so tight that birds can't come inside. If you don't plan to keep any animals in the barn, you might be OK.

I think the biggest problem with bird crap is that people don't like to look at it. I don't care for it either, but after hauling out a trailer load of horse manure every day, it doesn't seem like that big of a deal to me.

Our stable doors stay open, rarely ever shut, but no birds. I see one bird and it's chased out, usually just lots of noise or water hosed spray.

 

[LHF2019]

Birds are fine. We feed them all winter and have 50 birdhouses everywhere, but they are nasty in a building. I wouldn't feed a horse hay with bird sh*t all over it. It's very much a health hazard also.

You don't feed these ones. They feed themselves on the very same bugs you will complain about when they are gone. The bird sh^t on hay can be avoided. Look at covering small areas at a time to keep it off the hay. I will agree with the hay portion. The health hazard??? Don't eat it and don't play with it. Wash your hands. It is a very short window in the whole grand scheme of things they will be in the barn. Once the young are in flight they rarely frequent the barns. I'm not even sure they roost in barns once all in flight. I'll have to remember to keep looking. Some of mine are still nesting.

And will always say, The ability to sit outside and not deal with a single mosquito is priceless. Free natural bug control that is not offered in any other way. If you have or get them, I'm sure your horses would enjoy less flies as my cattle do. Have to think beyond yourself sometimes.

 

[masseyrider]

My parents had a fruit farm.
The area where we packed the fruit, transports of it, had bare beams.
The Martins would start nesting before the packing season began sticking their nests to the beams.
We would accommodate them by locating the packing tables out of their "drop zones." Trying hard not to make direct eye contact I would watch them coming and going. I thought it was funny seeing the chicks pushing their poop out of their nests when they got big enough.
We spent the summers packing beneath them and they flying over us. Equipment and numerous people coming and going.
Cleaned up their droppings as needed.
Never had an issue, PACKING FOOD GRADE PRODUCE.
My parents would have nothing to do with relocating them.
IT WAS BAD LUCK.

 

[Fixastuff]

Some people like country living but also dont like country living. lol.

 

[masseyrider]

Some people like country living but also dont like country living. lol.

Our area is becoming ever more gentrified with McMansions going up all over.
They get sold by Real Estate agents telling them about the wineries and the green and the sunsets and the space...
They don't tell them farms are outdoor factories. It looks nicer than an auto plant but has it's issues to.
Pesticides, loud equipment starting at 6am, manure smells...
They fell in love with the sunset picture looking off the back deck over a green vineyard.

 

[NorTracNY]

We have always welcomed them. We have three nest in our barn and the only poop that we notice are under those nest. I assume that it's the same birds returning each year. If I wanted to get rid of them, I'd do it in the fall when the birds have left. I love seeing them swoop down over the lawn and get all the bugs in the late summer.

We recently checked out an old and quickly deteriorating farm where one of the barns was full of birds. EVERY bit of the place was bird droppings. It was going to be days of pressure washing just to start. I feel bad as the place clearly use to be great. It's had me thinking a lot of making sure I sell my place before I'm too old to maintain it. If you've got a farm, keep in mind how quickly things can deteriorate. This couple moved and it's been over a year. They've dropped the price, but the place is deteriorating faster than they are dropping it. Soon is will just be the value of the land...

 

[tacticalturnip]

On a related note, I've got two nests in the garage this year. My Robin's are back, but it seems they're making a new nest as the other one became a little unstable. I just noticed them this morning, and the wife and I are quite excited.

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

I love birds, just as anything else though, in their restricted spaces. Outside and away from my "stuff". I don't have the issues you do. When I run across a nest in my shop, I wait until the fledglings have left then destroy the nest.

I will check out the Bird Guard for our fruit as the birds are eating away at that even now.

I was thinking though and the canary in the coal mine theory came to mind. Seems like one could produce some smoke in the top layer of the barn and smokem out. It may not keep them out but it may. Watch for then sealing their entrances would seem effective at keeping them out.

 

[drssg]

Our stable doors stay open, rarely ever shut, but no birds. I see one bird and it's chased out, usually just lots of noise or water hosed spray.

OK, maybe you can work your same magic on the new barn?

This time of year, our barn is full of clumsy fledglings that flutter around and run into everything.

 

[jyoutz]

I love birds, just as anything else though, in their restricted spaces. Outside and away from my "stuff". I don't have the issues you do. When I run across a nest in my shop, I wait until the fledglings have left then destroy the nest.

I will check out the Bird Guard for our fruit as the birds are eating away at that even now.

I was thinking though and the canary in the coal mine theory came to mind. Seems like one could produce some smoke in the top layer of the barn and smokem out. It may not keep them out but it may. Watch for then sealing their entrances would seem effective at keeping them out.

Related to bird gard. Before you order it, learn what bird species are showing up and most common in your area. The same for hawk predators. You order a sound card with the predatory and distress sounds of those species. I think you can pick 10 species. That is the key to success with the device. And it does work.

 

[fidowanttobe]

I have had very very good luck with these.

Balcony Gard Ultrasonic Bird Repeller 110V

The Balcony Gard is an electronic device that emits a high and low pitched frequency that repels many types of birds and rodents without the use of chemicals or poisons.

www.solutionsstores.com

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

Personally I've never understood the "let nature take over" attitude. I've lived in the country all my life and you have to take control otherwise the nuisance plants, poison ivy, honeysuckle, sumac, wild grape, weeds, etc. takes over. Same with animals, ground hogs under buildings, mice, coyote, deer, etc. We had foxes, cute watching them play until neighbors chickens all over our pastures, deer destroying fruit trees, flowers, etc. Getting rid of them now we're starting to see turkey, quail & rabbits.
Cats take care of rats & mice. If you want destruction just let nature take over your property.
This big barn had been cleaned then within a few days loft, stalls & floors covered in bird crap. Here it is:
"Bird droppings can carry various pathogens, including bacteria and fungi, that can cause illnesses like psittacosis, histoplasmosis, and cryptococcosis. These pathogens can be inhaled when dry bird droppings are disturbed, becoming airborne."
Other people can welcome letting nature take over but I'm not one.

 

[newbury]

Have you tried black snakes?

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

Have you tried black snakes?

Yes, once, but I think she should have used a different BBQ sauce.

 

[Torvy]

You can make catwalks and use barn cats. There's a reason theater catwalks are called that...some really old barns had them to allow th cats to easily get into the upper reaches. They dont have to get to every spot. If they get close, the birds will self-deport from your barn.

 

[5030]

Way too much for cats plus they couldn't get up where they are I'm thinking.

Don't overthink cats...lol Our barn cats are adept climbers and we also have a lage post framed barn like yours and those danged cats keep it pretty bird free. Our issue are whistle pigs but I shoot them from the back deck when they come out to sun themselves. Sit on the back deck with my 17 Savage, let them get settled in the sun in front of the barn and then pop them. Kind of like shooting the roll over targets at a county fair... I drill them and they roll over... dead.