Can magpies hurt chickens?

[ashbev]

We just let them out in our yard with fence around our veges, we don't have a run but looks as though we will have to make one!!!

 

[BlazinJRanch]

My magpies get chased off the lawn by my flock of 10 hens that are 2/12 month old.

 

[KittySlamHer]

I actually lost one of our hens today, i live in Brisbane also. We have magpies at our house all year round and we hand feed them. Our hens are only 6 months old and we haven't had them through a magpie nesting season. But obviously the magpies have become territorial towards them and I ran out today to see a magpie attacking our hen and the poor thing died of shock.

My question is... Is there anything we can do to keep the magpies away?!? Fake prey birds or anything?!?

I’ve tried everything and the magpie continues to scwooo attack my chicken poor chickens who are so scared to leave there coop unless I carry them to the house then they stay under the house till before dark to go to bed - it’s not fair in my chickens- I’m nice to the magpie, I talk to him telling him to be the chickens friend but nothing works - even my small dog chases and barks at him but he comes back and been going in for 2 months from in winter to now spring- it’s ridiculous - no idea what to do for my poor girls

 

[The Chickens' Maid]

maybe a decoy hawk or owl would help, although the chickens will get used to it and not react which will probably tip off the magpies. Maybe if you could block it from the hens' view but put it somewhere a flying bird could see it, preferably near the nest since that's what they're likely protecting. It might convince them to move.