How to scare off pigeons?

[Rossa]

There are pigeons kept on the allotment next to ours. We've been told that as they're well fed they shouldn't do too much damage, but I'm not convinced.

We dug over a bed last night and once we had moved away down came the pigeons to look for worms I guess.

Apart from the expense of something like a fruit cage any suggestions on what is best to scare them off. Our neighbour said a scarecrow and another person said those plastic windmills, though they will only work in a wind.

Anyone else had any success in deterring them?

[pdblake]

No suggestions, just disbelief that someone would be allowed to keep flying rats on an allotment site.

[matthew2riches]

I often use the shotgun!

[Victoria26]

You want a loan of my dog???

[DavidM31]

There are pigeons kept on the allotment next to ours. We've been told that as they're well fed they shouldn't do too much damage, but I'm not convinced.

We dug over a bed last night and once we had moved away down came the pigeons to look for worms I guess.

Apart from the expense of something like a fruit cage any suggestions on what is best to scare them off. Our neighbour said a scarecrow and another person said those plastic windmills, though they will only work in a wind.

Anyone else had any success in deterring them?

I too am amazed that their allowed to be kept on an allotment,if they come down to pick up over the bare soil imagine what they will do as soon as you plant anything. There must be a rule about it,see your lottie secretary, failing that shoot them.

[SarzWix]

If they are someone's racing pigeons you're talking about, then you certainly shouldn't shoot them Keeping racing pigeons has been a tradition on allotments for a long time, and they are pets to their owners as much as chickens are to theirs. Your neighbours on the other sides must know if they're likely to do any damage to your crops, and you can look to see what they do/use for protection. However, their owner has a point, as they are well fed, they're unlikely to decimate your veg - wild pigeons do a lot of their damage in the winter, when they're hungry...

[Alice]

I too am amazed they're allowed to keep these known pests on an allotment site.
Things like scarecrows and discs only work for a few hours or days. They very quickly realise they are harmful.
The only real solution for you would be to net the beds.
I do mine like this.

[DavidM31]

If they are someone's racing pigeons you're talking about, then you certainly shouldn't shoot them Keeping racing pigeons has been a tradition on allotments for a long time, and they are pets to their owners as much as chickens are to theirs. Your neighbours on the other sides must know if they're likely to do any damage to your crops, and you can look to see what they do/use for protection. However, their owner has a point, as they are well fed, they're unlikely to decimate your veg - wild pigeons do a lot of their damage in the winter, when they're hungry...

What you say maybe true and they could be someones pet racing pigeons,but should'nt they be kept in unless they are let out for flying.

If I found anyones pet pigeons or chickens pecking around my plot I would be after them, but netting the plot is probably the better option and it will keep off the wild birds too.

[TEB]

I usually pick up a bamboo cane and run around screaming, manically slashing the air, the pigeons laugh from the safety of the trees, neighbours give me a wide birth and the dog has a great time.

[Rossa]

Well I've been told they're racing pigeons but from the look of them they're so fat they'd probably have to waddle home rather than fly anywhere. Think I'll have to go with the netting option. My lottie sharer, nice young lad, has a pointer and whippet so they may help a bit and would probably love it if i chased around waving a bamboo cane in the air.....lol

Thanks All

[Snadger]

Tried all sorts but the only way (as Alice says) is netting!

[lizzylemon]

I usually pick up a bamboo cane and run around screaming, manically slashing the air, the pigeons laugh from the safety of the trees, neighbours give me a wide birth and the dog has a great time.

FANTASTIC! Thanks for making me laugh