A dove has been stuck in my chicken coop for two days, and I can’t get it to fly out! I’m pretty sure it got in through a largish gap over the door of the coop, probably attracted by the grain or water. Or maybe it flew in while the chickens were enjoying their evening free-range time, when the door was open.
Now the damn dove is stuck, and no matter how often we leave the coop door (full, human-sized screen door) open or wave our arms at it to shoo it out, the damn dove just flies in panicky circles around the top of the coop, which is about two feet above the door. It flies so close to freedom but seems unable to perceive that the opening could be anywhere but the top of the coop.
Poor thing. Its mate (we think) comes and sits in a nearby banana tree and squawks and flaps at it, apparently trying to entice it out. I don’t want to cut the chicken wire at the top of the completely enclosed coop, but I’m not sure what else to do. Any suggestions?
UPDATE: Victory at last! I got a long-handled fishing net from the shed and finally shooed the damn dove out! With the net, I was able to make it fly a bit lower, so it sailed right through the door, over the house and out of sight. The dove is probably regaling its avian friends with tales of the malevolence of chickens and net-waving monsters right now. Thanks for all your suggestions!
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