4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[josieadc]

Hi, we're having problems with Magpies coming in and stealing food from our 'grub' dispenser in the Cube run and wondered if anyone else has had the same problem and any advice how to stop them. Do we need to change the food dispenser?? We leave the run door open during the day so our chickens can free range and the 'grub' is inside the run, and the magpies, bold as brass just hop in and help themselves, as soon as they see me coming they're off. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks.

[Space Chick]

They are like that are magpies, my cat is a strange one and will only eat his food outside, the magpies (and my 2 friendly robins) always watch from a safe distance waiting for him to finish

 

I've left them too it, my logic being they probably have families to feed

[Egluntyne]

Could you hang up a Scarecrow or a couple of those spinning windsock things that you see at campsites?

[Valkyrie]

I have the same problem with pigeons, blackbirds and robins. I put the free CD's on a string and dangled them across the door. Works well with the greenhouse but not on the cube - they are determined little blighters. The only thing that works is when all the girls have laid and I shut the run door (mainly because they are broody on and off too). I put food out in a bowl nearer the house when they come begging. Then I take it back in when they have finished.