The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: manian on July 17, 2011, 07:29:31 am

Title: Magpies
Post by: manian on July 17, 2011, 07:29:31 am

Morning.......
 :o :o :o :o went out this morning and all 6 lambs in the field... (good start as they have learnt how to jump fences and keep escaping!!!!!

they seemed happily eating grass....... but to my horror 2 lambs had magpies on their back!!!
seemed not to bother them, and i called them over and checked them out.........can't see anything...... should i be worried
 ??? ???

Title: Re: Magpies
Post by: jaykay on July 17, 2011, 08:52:16 am

I don't think so. Magpies are a nightmare with baby birds in their nests, and i suppose might have a go at a very weakly newborn lamb, since they also scavenge, but don't think they should worry well-grown lambs. Maybe they were removing wee beasties?

Title: Re: Magpies
Post by: Bright Raven on July 19, 2011, 10:25:52 pm

Yep, could be removing ticks. Check out this link.
http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/expert/previous/magpieandsheep.aspx (http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/expert/previous/magpieandsheep.aspx)

Title: Re: Magpies
Post by: VSS on July 20, 2011, 03:46:55 pm

Generally, not a problem. Occasionally a rogue magpie will start pecking at a sheep's back and will draw blood. At that stage, others join in and the whole situation deteriorate. I have seen sheep pecked right down to the backbone - but it is unusual.

Title: Re: Magpies
Post by: pikilily on July 20, 2011, 04:51:37 pm

Ha!! so if you see a magpie on yer sheep, get out pdq with the clik or crovect..
it could be the magots its pecking at!!
 :o :o :o

Title: Re: Magpies
Post by: bazzais on July 20, 2011, 05:00:19 pm

Wouldnt it be great if birds ate maggots and flies instead of going for eyes and anus :)

Title: Re: Magpies
Post by: manian on July 20, 2011, 10:09:29 pm

no maggots present ..... (only got 6 and we check daily)
wormed and cliked today though
feet trimming tomorrow
Mx