Magpies swooping and attacking chickens.

[hen0014]

Hello, we have had much trouble with magpies swooping and attacking our chickens it's now gotten to the point where they won't even come out of the coop. any ideas on how to stop them?

 

[Sussex19]

What country do you live in, because what we call a magpie here is probably different from where you are.
Maybe you could try hanging something shiny up?

 

[hen0014]

Australia

 

[Sussex19]

Australia

Oh, well then we're talking about the same thing!
I'm yet to know of any very good method of discouraging them, are the chickens kept in a run?
If so you could put some strings across the top.

 

[hen0014]

yeah thanks for the reply might give the strings a go.

 

[centrarchid]

Magpies have an active nest or fledglings nearby?

 

[BelovedBirds]

Hello, we have had much trouble with magpies swooping and attacking our chickens it's now gotten to the point where they won't even come out of the coop. any ideas on how to stop them?

are they nesting nearby? My gut feeling is that this is a seasonal issue and that it will calm down soon. Perhaps for now you could fence off a little area/cover it with something to make sure they stay safe?

 

[hen0014]

are they nesting nearby? My gut feeling is that this is a seasonal issue and that it will calm down soon. Perhaps for now you could fence off a little area/cover it with something to make sure they stay safe?

No I don’t think it’s that as they only nest in the spring and summer months in Australia and we’re currently in the middle of winter.

 

[Sussex19]

No I don’t think it’s that as they only nest in the spring and summer months in Australia and we’re currently in the middle of winter.

I agree, it seems in some areas they stay aggressive; no doubt it might get worse in the breeding season.
I think the only way is to either move the chickens, or cover the run.

 

[hen0014]

yes I think we may have to cover the run in netting to try prevent it.