Feral pigeons

I had a problem with feral pigeons about a month ago, I have quite a few bird feeders so there's always food available I've had the odd pigeon now and again but this time there were 10, I frightened them off a few times but as soon as my back was turned they were back, I didn't want to attract any more or annoy my neighbours or to stop feeding the birds so over the last few weeks I've moved all my feeders to one area and gradually caged it off, thankfully the birds are getting used to it and more importantly no more pigeons.

 

Thanks JWK
It seems to be working and not as obtrusive as I thought it might be.

 

I found that feeding only sunflower hearts and peanuts only in a container, along with fat balls, pretty much got rid of the pigeon problem.

 

@pete yes I do the same, I think the problem has been this year the amount of overspill from the feeders, I had about 7 house sparrows breeding this year and at one point I was using about 4 litre jugs of sunflower hearts a day spread around the garden in the feeders along with all the goldfinches and other birds I think the pigeons cottened on to it.

 

By feral pigeon do you mean "Wood Pigeon"?

I have my own way of dealing with Wood Pigeons, Garlic, butter and a .22 pellet!

 

I’ve done similar @mazambo but on a smaller scale. I’ve made rectangular weldmesh removal cages which hang over the individual feeders. They seem to work but the Magpies, when determined, find a way in.

 

Personally I dont find Wood Pigeons a problem.
The normal pigeons, not sure what you call them, are the ones that descend in hoards on any spare seed.
Along with doves.

 

And it no fun when someone shoots at your bedroom windows or flying dead duck hits your roof and lands on your patio two feet from your back door, then when you are walking on public foot path some one shoot towards you pellets land 10 feet away and the shooters think it wasn't a problem as Miss jiff and me found out, 12 bores pellets can travel 340 yards and the middle of the shoot was only 150 yards away and you can take off 50 yards of that because of our garden

It's also illegal to shoot birds when nesting

 

Never really had an issue with pigeons when my cat was still alive. Mind you, the neighbours chickens were a lot quieter as well

 

@Vince no not wood pigeons I don't mind them, the pigeons you see in town centres, @shiney yes I totally agree I've left all the gaps for the smaller birds and left a 12" gap at the back for blackbirds and haven't done the front yet hoping I don't have to, I think feral pigeons like to be on open ground
@Redwing that's a good idea, I do have one cage I put mealworms in it works pretty well.