bird attack

[DiscoInferno]

The other night I was starting up a fire in the 1100C, and sort of leaned down to see if I could close the door yet when a decent size bird came flying out right at my face. Scared the #$@% out of me. Had to open every door and chase the stupid thing around the house for 15 minutes before he flew out. I had just burned the night before, so it must have flown in that day. I'm afraid this is going to be a recurring problem, as we had several birds (mostly alive, 1 dead) in the Ultima after burning season last year. Both have caps but no spark screens.

 

[Hogwildz]

Where is the gentleman that advises that you don't need a cap with screen?
Simple fix, screen it, or deal with it. Its not rocket science.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Just don't get too fine of a screen.

Too bad you didn't get a video of that. You'll probably laugh about that for years.

 

[DiscoInferno]

I don't do heights, and frankly I'm not entirely sure how to add a screen to the caps I have. So I guess I'll deal with it.

 

[Hogwildz]

Sorry if I sounded prickish bro, you should be able to add screen to any cap with a lil imagination. As far as the heights, def. don't mess with it if your not cool with heights, not worth it.
As Backwood stated, just don't use small holed screen. Something with 1/2" or 5/8" even 3/4" holes will do fine.
Who cleans the chimney? If you have a sweep do it, either ask him to bring the cap down while he is cleaning you can pop rivet or fab the screen into that cap while he is cleaning it, and have him reinstall.
I know my DV cap screen is not fastened, it it basically a rounded pc of 1/2" square hole screen the sets inside the s.s. rings that make up the cap neck. One of Newtons laws hold it in place.
If we was closer, I'd be glad to climb up there and do it for ya.

Is this the place in MI. or MD.?

 

[DiscoInferno]

Oh, I suppose that's probably true - it could go in the neck, as you say, or I could even wrap the sides with it. This is in MD, where I clean the chimneys from the bottom. So not having a screen is also nice from a not-clogging standpoint. In MI the chase comes through a low-pitch first-floor porch roof, and I can do that one from the top without freaking out too much. Oddly, it doesn't have a screen either, and we're in the woods, but no birds in the chimney. The side openings might be smaller though.

Could be worse, I suppose - my parents used to have a raccoon family in their chimney. Luckily they didn't use that flue.

 

[Cutter]

Starlings take about 15 min at 400 degrees raccoon about an hour and a half. Real hard to get BBQ sauce on them .

 

[Jags]

Hey Disco, I simply wrapped my cap with 1/2" hardware mesh (available at most diy or hardware stores). I had the same problem. No more problem, and it does not collect any creo. (at least with my setup). Like hogz said, if you ain't comfortable, get a sweep to bring it down for ya (or some goofy buddy that is willing to climb up there. ;-) )

 

[Jay H]

last summer (wasn't burning) I had a small bird in the wood stove firebox.. I would try to open the door with a pillowcase to try to get it out, but it would just fly up the flue. Eventually, I left the door open and it came out into the living room. forgetting to get my two cats in a different room, you should of seen the commotion. One of my cats managed to get the bird and it was in it's mouth, absolutely terrified (I'm sure). I thought it had to be dead, poor bird, but eventually I got my cat to drop the bird and it took off for my bay window. of course, it was closed and it banged on the window and I managed to get a towel and grab the bird and then I took it outside and it flew away Lucky bird, I guess 2 of it's lives has now passed but happy that it took off like nothing happened.. Haven't had another one since!

Jay

 

[LeonMSPT]

Keep hoping I'll find a turkey in mine... nothing yet.

 

[njtomatoguy]

They are here too. the dogs just sit on the couch looking dumbfounded,
while I try to get them out of the house. I hate when they get soot on the ceiling!

 

[Cluttermagnet]

The 1/2 in wire cloth works great. That's what I use here. No birds and it doesn't soot up like the finer mesh or screen.

Birds will do crazy things. One time I opened the front door and a bird flew right past me into the house. I chased it for a few minutes until it decided to flee back out the door it came through. We put the cat in the basement for the duration. She'd have caught the bird before I would have, for sure. ;-)

 

[cogger]

This happened a long time ago to my wife except it was a BAT

 

[Prada]

A bat! *faint*

 

[SmokinPiney]

While at my parents last winter my mom asked if i could run down and get the stove going for her before i left. So i headed down the stairs and got on my knees in front of the stove to load it up. When i opened the door a young flyin squirrel jumped out on my leg, ran up my arm and jumped off my hat!! I had to chase that sucker all over the basement. Finally cornered him and grabbed him with a welders glove. Little bugger was bitin the heck outta that glove.

 

[Prada]

What a story! I can't imagine having that happen to me. Hubby would have to call the fire dept to get me off the rafters. Oh my, that would be way too much of a surprise.