Starling damage and its prevention at an openfronted calf yard

Abstract

AbstractStarlings had free access to cattle food placed in open troughs in a calf yard. During the winters 1974/75, 1975/76 and 1976/77 birds took 1·49, 1·70 and 1·991 of calf food respectively, this ranging from 6·4 to 12·4% of the food given to the calves. These losses were eliminated using enclosures made of Terylene netting or PVC strips. Both enclosures kept starlings out of the yard: the latter was more manageable to farm staff, and calves within grew significantly faster than controls, probably due to a combination of the absence of bird competition for food and the elevated temperature within the enclosed area.