Bird in Chimney - Tenant freaking out!

piggles1

We had this once and it took a while (hours not days) but the bird did eventually find its way out of the bottom and flew immediately to the window, which we'd opened, so it flew straight out.

If there's no obstruction and it can get out of the bottom it should fly towards the light (windows) and not the tenant, because it wants to get back outside. I'd open the windows and leave the room for a bit.

If it's still in there later I think it'll be ok overnight and just exhaust itself, and might even be sitting somewhere in the morning ready to be encouraged out.

enginesuck

I know I will get flamed for this but, lighting the fire is an option, the thing will probably die anyway

Annie1960

I used to get this.

I never called out anyone to help - it would never have occurred to me to call the emergency services!

I just unscrewed the plastic air vent, and the birds would get out on their own (usually magpies). The first couple of times I got a plastic bucket and something to cover it and waited for the bird to hop into the bucket, then brought it outside to release the bird.

Birds are rather scary in the house, but if you leave windows and doors open it should fly out by itself.

Then I had gas fires installed, and they put some sort of caps on the chimneys. It would not be possible for me to get a bird out with the gas fire there. But I've never had it happen since the caps were put on.

You may wish to check whether you have caps on your chimneys, and if so whether they are correctly fitted.

time2deal

If it was me, or if I could even get there, I'd just wait or reach up and see if I could get it. But.. tenants...

It didn't help that he called right on 5pm so everywhere is closed! The council said they would help, but not until tomorrow.

I've advised as above and told him to open the grate and wait. It's a one bed place so it's a bit hard to ask him not to be in his living room. At least it is nice and warm and easy to leave the windows open.

A sweep can come tomorrow if its still there. £60 and I get a chimney sweep too, so not a major issue. I can't light a fire as it's not a used fireplace, and I suspect I would smoke out all the flats above! Even if that was an option I think it just kills the bird and leaves you with a decomposing body for a few weeks. Not so nice in the summer heat.

Such things you deal with as a landlord.

G_M

What a waste of taxpayers' (ie my) money! I'm both amazed and shocked the fire brigade came (unless they charge. maybe, hopefully, a bill in the post....)

And no, I don't think the LL has a duty to get the bird out. It will either find its way out, or die.

Though I would suggest that you get a chap with a ladder to put a chimney cowl on. The chap should cost £15-20 and a cheap cowl is £3 +

aggypanthus

G_M wrote: »

What a waste of taxpayers' (ie my) money! I'm both amazed and shocked the fire brigade came (unless they charge. maybe, hopefully, a bill in the post....)

And no, I don't think the LL has a duty to get the bird out. It will either find its way out, or die.

Though I would suggest that you get a chap with a ladder to put a chimney cowl on. The chap should cost £15-20 and a cheap cowl is £3 +

I agree, what a ridiculous use of the fire service!

lighting_up_the_chalice

G_M wrote: »

What a waste of taxpayers' (ie my) money! I'm both amazed and shocked the fire brigade came (unless they charge. maybe, hopefully, a bill in the post....)

They would probably use it as a training exercise.

suki1964

lighting_up_the_chalice wrote: »

They would probably use it as a training exercise.

No, they charge.

Back when I worked and lived on the mainland it was £120 an appliance an hour or part off

Even RTA's are charged, the bill going to the insurance companies.



Op, tell the tenant to open the grate and the windows. The bird, if it can't find its way back out the top will drop to the bottom and find its way out then. Three times the past spring I've had this happen and three times the bird has been fine

G_M

lighting_up_the_chalice wrote: »

They would probably use it as a training exercise.

What? Training how to remove birds from chimneys?

And from what the OP says the training doesn't seem to be working as the bird's still there.

More training obviously needed so I'm off to catch a bird and stuff it up my chimney......

silvercar

We once had a bird down the chimney. we opened the sliding patio doors, removed the grid in front of the fire place.

The bird promptly flew towards the light and straight into the glass of the patio door. Knocked itself out for a minute. Woke up and flew out of the open patio door.