The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Moleskins on October 13, 2010, 09:09:27 pm
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I know crows will be straight there and peck the eyes out of dead stock but tonight I was a bit concerned to see some very close to my ewes. Close enough to be pecking at their noses as if taking off insects and standing on their backs.
Anything to worry about do you know ?
As usual thanks for your input in advance.
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could just be waiting for all the insects as the ewe goes through the grass disturbing them if the problem carry's on invest in a gun and shoot the dam things lol.
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The crows commonly sit on the backs of my ewes. I think they are safe as long as alert but unless you are a crack shot and going to sit there all day not much can be done.
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I have watched Jackdaws plucking wool from my Shetlands in nesting season, although I thought they just had twig nests (that was all that seemed to come out of our chimney anyway).
If the sheep are not worried then there is no problem. If the crows are pecking at them then I would suspect fly strike and that they are eating the maggots. I saw somewhere that a certain type of parrot in NZ goes straight for the kidneys of live sheep, through their backs, yeuch - but British crows don't :)