Thread: A technical question about cockatoos.

Originally Posted by mick88

Maybe spray some "lead" out of a 12 gauge!
That may do the trick.


Cheers, Mick

It doesn't. They're very very difficult to move on. Shooting one or two doesn't deter the others. They're very cunning too. They make heaps of noise most of the time but when they're in the orchard they're silent. They know that if they make themselves conspicuous the grumpy farmer will come down and do something unpleasant. Also it's difficult to get a clear shot in the orchard and they know how to stay concealed or just out of range. Apart from all that, shooting native wildlife isn't exactly one of my hobbies. I have tried many things to get them to move on with limited success. If I can just keep them off the irrigation pipe we can all be happy.

Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift

how about marine bearing grease?

would like to think it would be non toxic whatever you end up with,,

That would probably work but how would I apply it? I need a method of application that's not too tedious.

Originally Posted by Blknight.aus

silocone spray

or motorbike chain lube.

Yep, both worth a go. I've just done a small trial with belt grip - will see how that goes.

Originally Posted by PhilipA

How about this?

Hot Foot Bird Repellent in South Brisbane 4101 QLD - Get a Quote for Trade & Professional Services
Regards Philip A

Excellent. Thanks for that. I am aware of hotfoot and I sent an email to them in the States but I never got a reply. Back then I couldn't find any Australian contact or distributor for them. I'll give them a call and see if I can get some to trial.

Originally Posted by nod 130

This might sound stupid, but it worked on another destructive parrot, the kea, in NZ, and it's cheap but may be a bit time consuming. Tie some inflated kids party balloons to the lines. They see the new toy, peck it and it blows up in their face. Big fright. Might be worth a try.
Don.

Interesting idea. Could be worth a go.

If you string a single wire between the posts that are currently holding your poly, and then suspend the poly from the wire on hangers about 150 mm long, then the birds shouldn't be able to land on the poly.

If the wire is thin enough, they wont be able to grab it, and if at the right height, they wont be able to land on the poly either.

Originally Posted by RR P38

Im not so sure about using all these toxic remedies on an orchard.

Replace the PVC with pipe copper/Gal.......expensive.
Can you run fishing line above the PVC so they cant land......if they do they will do this in as well i guess.

Can you cover the PVC with sock?.......expensive?
Stick the PVC in the ground with pop up sprinklers.

Talk to the Boss Cocky

It's poly, not PVC. Most of these ideas are cost prohibitive and/or very time consuming. The fishing line idea is one I had thought about and may have some merit.

Originally Posted by goingbush

Try a Border Collie

problem solved

I had a Blue Heeler that was pretty good, but as soon as he was gone, they'd come back.