will established bird table work with chickens?

[angelat]

I have a well established bird table which brings in many birds but am setting 2 chickens up in that area of garden, with a fenced off area and coop etc. would it be dangerous for either birds to mix (bird flu) etc. would the wild birds be scared of the chickens, anyone know. thanx in advance

angela

[bluemoon]

I doubt the wild birds will be scared by the hens, I've recently visited a poultry farm where wild birds were flying through the run, definitely not 'flu proof. I would have thought that they might be tempted by the chicken feed and the hens might munch on any spilled wild bird seed. The advice from DEFRA does seem to still be that wild birds and poultry should be kept apart if possible. If Avian 'flu does break out then chickens will need to be isolated. We are getting our chickens on Saturday and have built their housing so that they can be confined if the 'flu does arrive, but we have positioned it under trees which are frequented by many wild birds as the shade offered will be invaluable, we are simply prepared to have to move it all if the situation demands.

[Pumpkin Becki]

Forsham Cottage Arks do a range of 'Bird Flu' enclosures - the Quicksafe and the Safeguard. They both have a smaller gauge mesh than normal to stop small birds getting in, The Quicksafe is the cheaper of the two, and Forsham do removeable roof covers for both - worth a look.

[Snadger]

You know...........you've just got me thinking. In an effort to foxproof my chicken run I've put mesh over the top. This is 4 inch mesh just to keep the foxy's out but garden birds would fit through it quite easily. I throw mixed corn and sometimes bread in for the chooks, but I've never seen another bird in there?

I fear that if a bird landed on THERE food my big hybrids would eat IT.

The way they fight each other for titbits an interloper wouldn't stand a chance!!

[elizajay]

One of my bantams scared a woodpecker off the bird feeder by running under it flapping her when she was full of the joys of life. She didn't know about the woodpecker. I have got roofing over part of the chicken run for shade and to stop wild bird poo getting in. Chickens love sunbathing, so they need sun as well as shade, especially if they can dust bathe in the sun.