Getting rid of Pukekos without resorting to "extreme prejudice"...

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#225875 9-Dec-2017 08:45

So the pair of Pukekos living in the bush at the back of our garden has turned into a family of five over the last 18 months - I am watching the two newest arrivals run around the garden as I type.

I can just about live with the screeching and the non-stop bonking, but despite our best efforts the sods are ripping through the chook food and I would prefer that the chooks get it.

If they carry on at this rate, they will have an army within a year or two so I am looking to get them to move on without resorting to killing or harming them.

Any ideas?

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#1915574 9-Dec-2017 08:51

catch them and relocate, a big enough box with food in it and a rope to pull on it trapping them inside?

networkn

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#1915598 9-Dec-2017 10:23

Contact DOC?

zenourn

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#1915600 9-Dec-2017 10:40

We get gangs of adolescent Pukekos having parties ... along with the noise they love ripping seedlings out of the ground but not eating them. Although they weren't my intended target, I've caught a few in traps like this (https://www.maintracgroup.com/products/large-cage-trap). Maize kernels are supposedly attractive to Pukekos.

Our chicken area is surrounded by 2 metre high chicken wire which seems to keep them out.

When we were townies we thought Pukekos were great birds. Now they are just pests.

Rikkitic

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#1915606 9-Dec-2017 11:02

Maybe leave a lamp on? When the Pukeko comes to switch it off you can grab it.

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#1915607 9-Dec-2017 11:02

I believe they don’t like bright colours especially purples so perhaps some of the glitter type streamers and some old cds on spinners. A barrier helps as they prefer to walk ie cloth netting.

Croppers down my way shoot them because they cause big damage to crops like maize.

Stu

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#1915619 9-Dec-2017 11:57

I agree with the above re: contacting DOC. I'm sure they'll be able to assist with relocating your family of Purple Swamp Hens.

People often mistake me for an adult because of my age.

Keep calm, and carry on posting.

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#1915621 9-Dec-2017 12:03

Ring Gareth and see if he has a cat he can loan you?

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#1915625 9-Dec-2017 12:07

Geektastic:

Ring Gareth and see if he has a cat he can loan you?

We already have 3 and a half cats and they keep well clear. One did get a chick last year, but the adults seem to be more they want to take on!

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#1915626 9-Dec-2017 12:08

Sounds like DOC might be the answer then - thanks all, will give them a holler

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#1915636 9-Dec-2017 12:22

Item:

Geektastic:

Ring Gareth and see if he has a cat he can loan you?

We already have 3 and a half cats and they keep well clear. One did get a chick last year, but the adults seem to be more they want to take on!

I'll loan you my Fox Terrier. No Puke Echoes by the end of the day, guaranteed!

rosco62

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#1916153 10-Dec-2017 18:21

Direct intervention is the quickest and surest method i.e. get out your silenced .22 and shoot them. They will quickly reach plague proportions if you don't. They are not endangered and once they start hanging around all their mates will turn up and then you will be under siege. My aunt used to get me to cull some of the tribe that lived in the adjoining paddock to her which I did twice a year but they always seemed to number about 15 or so regardless.

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#1916345 11-Dec-2017 07:51

rosco62: Direct intervention is the quickest and surest method i.e. get out your silenced .22 and shoot them. They will quickly reach plague proportions if you don't. They are not endangered and once they start hanging around all their mates will turn up and then you will be under siege. My aunt used to get me to cull some of the tribe that lived in the adjoining paddock to her which I did twice a year but they always seemed to number about 15 or so regardless.

Pukeko are a protected species and can only be hunted during the game bird season and only with a shotgun.

They can be culled under certain circumstances, eg damaging a farmers maize paddocks etc.

BTR

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#1916354 11-Dec-2017 08:26

Geektastic:

Item:

Geektastic:

Ring Gareth and see if he has a cat he can loan you?

We already have 3 and a half cats and they keep well clear. One did get a chick last year, but the adults seem to be more they want to take on!

I'll loan you my Fox Terrier. No Puke Echoes by the end of the day, guaranteed!

I would say suggesting something cruel and illegal on a public forum isn't a very good idea. They are a protected species and suggesting a dog maul them to death is cruel and sick.

networkn

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#1916373 11-Dec-2017 09:04

BTR:

I would say suggesting something cruel and illegal on a public forum isn't a very good idea. They are a protected species and suggesting a dog maul them to death is cruel and sick.

He could have been suggesting the dog help herd them off the property or just scare them off.

clevedon

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#1916376 11-Dec-2017 09:09

networkn:

BTR:

I would say suggesting something cruel and illegal on a public forum isn't a very good idea. They are a protected species and suggesting a dog maul them to death is cruel and sick.

He could have been suggesting the dog help herd them off the property or just scare them off.

Herd Pukeko's? I'd love to see that.

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