MAGPIES Helping themselves!!??

[equus2]

Hubby said a magpie LEFT the chicken house as he approached last night - walked down the hen's ramp and flew away. Egg production was down again, I blamed it on the weather. I JUST sold my large, protective Java roosters.

ARGH

It's a horse shed converted to hen house, with dirt floor and large outdoor runs. Due to the configuration, I haven't put a net over the top (the human door opens into the run.)

HAd no idea they could be that bold. Guess I'll have to put up netting?

 

[Judy]

I don't even know what a magpie looks like. Do they eat eggs? What is their usual diet?

This will give you a bump, anyway.

 

[nzpouter]

They are crows, we have them here as well, some families are good.

They nest around our trees, chase the hawks and never bother our pigeon and chickens.... those ones we leave alone....

but, every now and then they get chased away by other not so friendly group, those we dispatched pronto and let the next family move in.

 

[equus2]

They'll scoop up chicks that are free-ranging, but don't see to bother older birds. I didn't know they'd enter a building and eat eggs!