Magpies swooping at chickens

[Tiana's chickens]

In recent years our magpie population has increased, I have no problem with this because I love birds, but it's starting to become a problem.
The magpies have been swooping at the chickens more and more, now at least every hour I hear the chooks going off because the magpies are swooping again.
I'm looking for some ideas on how to stop this problem.
Our egg production has decreased because the chooks are stressed.
I will not hurt or kill any magpies so please help me think of different ideas to handle this.
Thanks everyone

 

[BonDEEroo]

I am assuming you are in Australia...

Magpies are very long-lived and very intelligent birds that recognize each of the individual humans in their territory. That’s a lot better than most of us humans can do! In our previous home the magpies even learned to recognize our car, and came round for a feed as soon as we got home each day.

I have no idea if this will work. But perhaps you could get feeders for your chooks that are wild bird-proof, or feed your chooks in an enclosed area that wild birds can’t get at. Feed the magpies somewhere away from the chooks, so they learn that you are their friend and start to perceive your chooks as part of your family, not as competitors for food or a threat to their nestlings.

It may just be an aggressive individual bird during nesting season.

 

[User395221]

Is it under/around a particular tree? Can you fence it off to keep the chooks away?

 

[Percheron chick]

The drop in egg production is also due to the magpies stealing eggs. My problems are worst when the magpies are sitting on eggs. Try destroying their nests.

 

[Tiana's chickens]

Is it under/around a particular tree? Can you fence it off to keep the chooks away?

It's my entire yard no matter where the chickens are (the free range every day)

 

[User395221]

It's my entire yard no matter where the chickens are (the free range every day)

Is there a tree nearby where the maggies are nesting? I'd look into constructing them an enclosed run. I used to have an open yard, but the pigeons and crows and neighbourhood birds would help themselves to the food, so I built the girls an enclosed run (I do still let the big girls out, but they can go "inside" and nobody can bother them). Even if you give your girls a haven for nesting season, that should help with their stress. Also, if the maggies are pinching eggs (and they will, I've got black crows who pinch eggs if they are left out in the yard) having an enclosed run should keep them away.

 

[BonDEEroo]

Magpies are protected in Australia, so it’s illegal to kill or harm them. Better keep the chooks in a covered area.