BIRDS IN THE BARN?

Birds nesting in your barn present a dilemma. Yes, they can be noisy, destructive and messy, but birds help keep the insect population under control and contribute to a balanced ecosystem around your farm.

- Christine Barakat with Melinda Freckleton, DVM

Before deciding whether to try to evict birds from your barn, do a bit of research on the species. Swallows, for instance, eat so many insects they are worth the mess they may make. And if you have a barn owl, do whatever you can to encourage him to stay and hunt mice. Some species of birds may be protected by federal or local statutes, particularly when they are nesting.

The most effective tactic for thwarting unwanted birds is to disturb their nests as they are building them. If you notice birds coming in and out of the barn frequently with twigs or horsehair, follow them to find out where they are going. If you can dismantle the in-progress nest a few times, the birds may give up and find another place to build. You can also try deterrents like spikes for rafters or wire over eaves, but most bird species are very good at working around these.

If birds have established nests, do your best to shield you and your horse from the mess. If bird droppings are falling into a water bucket, for instance, move the bucket. If a nest is situated above the crossties where you groom, move to the hitching post outside for a few weeks. If you can’t make changes like this, you may be able to build a small platform under the nest to catch the mess. There are no specific diseases that are transmitted from birds to horses in North America right now, but the droppings will have unhealthy bacteria.

Many people keep barn cats to reduce nuisance birds, but cats are indiscriminate killers of beneficial and nuisance birds alike. On the other hand, some cats are lazy and may leave birds alone completely.

HELP FOR HIGH-STRUNG HORSES