Controlling Starlings and Pigeons at Dairies and Feedlots in - PDF document

12/12/2016 Controlling Starlings and Pigeons at Dairies and Feedlots in Michigan Using DRC-1339 Tim Wilson USDA APHIS Wildlife Services, Michigan 1

12/12/2016 Issue During the winter large flocks of starlings gather at dairies and feedlots. • Consuming and contaminating feed • Contributing to the spread of disease • Reducing milk production 2

12/12/2016 Program Overview • DRC-1339 – Slow acting toxicant – Registered for USDA use only – Selective – Minimal risk of secondary poisoning Methods-Prebait • Site selection – Not accessible to cattle – Inside barns • Minimize non-targets • Shelter from weather – Prefer drive-thru style barns • Producers conduct pre-baiting – Coincides with feeding of livestock 3

12/12/2016 Notification • Producers notify neighbors • WS notifies several agencies prior to treatment date to alleviate concern about dead birds – Michigan Department of Agriculture – Michigan Department of Natural Resources – Michigan State University Extension Service – Local Health Departments 4

12/12/2016 Methods - Bait Drop • WS Responsibilities – Remain on site 4-8 hours • Monitor starling activity • Ensure non-targets do not interfere – Placed out the same as pre-bait – Clean up left-over bait • Producers Responsibilities – Carcass pick up • Found in sheltered locations • Disposal by burial or incineration 5

12/12/2016 Results • Since 1998, 820 DRC-1339 applications to control starlings • Average 45 farms treated per year • Majority of farms experience >75% reduction in starlings 6

12/12/2016 Effects of Starling Control on Milk Production at a Clinton County Dairy (700 Head) 84 82 Ave. Pounds per Cow 80 78 Feb.2002 76 Oct. 2002 Feb. 2003 74 72 70 68 66 3 2 1 Bait 1 2 3 Drop Weeks Before - Weeks After Keys to Success • Pre-baiting – Starlings need to be “on bait” for at least 3 days • Weather – Cold, snowy, overcast weather preferable • Minimal distractions on day of treatment – Avoid scheduling activities that may disrupt birds • i.e, construction, hoof trimmers, etc. 7

12/12/2016 Pigeon Control with DRC-1339 • Pre-baiting – Similar to starlings, only use corn • Hot bait/bait drop – Same • Mode of action – Same, pigeons will expire at roost sites Costs • No federal funds for program • Charge only for labor, mileage, and supplies (i.e, bait, toxicant) • Farms < 1000 head of cattle = $650 per treatment • Farms >1000 head of cattle = $1000 per treatment • Additional cost to treat pigeons – $200-$400 depending upon number of pigeons 8

12/12/2016 Contact Info: 209 Unique Farms 335 Total Treatments • Tim Wilson 7 Years USDA Wildlife Services 2803 Jolly Road, Suite 100 Okemos, MI 48864 (517) 336-1928 ext. 26 timothy.s.wilson@aphis.usda.gov 9