loopelu Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 We recieved our eglu and 4 lovely chickens two weeks ago and all is well. However we have had some very curious magpies jumping about the run and eglu and flying onto the top of the run. At first I took no notice but this is happening every day now and the chickens make themselves very big and flap their wings and cluck each time. We have had up to 4 at once. I keep all food in the glup and extras are given either in the gulp or on a plate and each night I take out the plate and put it away in the garage, so no food is left about and when they are in the garden free ranging there is no additional food given, only in the run. So I am not sure what the magpies are after. Should we worry? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 Their droppings would carry diseases so I guess you are better off without them but no idea how to get rid of them - a scarecrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 Magpies are definitely chancers, but they are easily spooked too. I imagine that if you keep disturbing them, they'll get the hint eventually and go and annoy someone else! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 Why not hang something flappy or shiny up, like a a string of 'free in a newspaper' c d's. It might spook them. My hens have always given the magpies 'what for'. We did get one stuck in the run once. Too dim to fathom out an escape. Judicious use of a broom shifted it. They will pass worms and lice on to your birds, so I hope you can shift them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loopelu Posted October 22, 2009 Author Share Posted October 22, 2009 Right O, Thanks for your replies. Will despatch 4 year old with a judicious broomstick when the magpies next visit. And move umbrella stand with wind sock on closer to the lawn as I am not sure I could convice my mother to be a willing scarecrow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyDaizy Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 We get one or two magpies in our garden, but its only to eat the layers pellets. We always remove the feeder out of the run to stop our Bunny munching on them, and put them on top of the rabbit hutch (hehe bunny cant get up there, but the chooks can) and the magpie goes onto the rabbit hutch to eat the layers pellets too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
