The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: Lesley Silvester on April 05, 2014, 09:26:04 pm
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I see that magpies are nest building in the sycamore tree next door. Are they likely to be any threat to the kids when they are born?
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I've never had nor heard of problems with magpies and kids or lambs... Crows and ravens yes but not magpies. They are more likely on take chicks and ducklings... I saw one take a young weasel once! They may enjoy a bit of afterbirth but shouldn't attack a healthy kid :)
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That's a relief. I used to live in sheep farming country and I remember the panic when a crow appeared during lambing season.
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I presume you are talking normal sized goats? Never had a problem although they are partial to the moulting coats for their nest...I'd be a lot more worried about foxes and badgers
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No, but they will play havoc with your song birds.
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Maybe they'll just go for the pigeons. :fc:
I have a lot of birds visit to pinch goat hair for nesting. They work their way along the fence where the goats like to scratch.
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We have a mating pair of magpies in a tree in our yard and they have never been any problem at all. They have certainly never gone for the young lambs. I know a lot of people dislike magpies but I love them and watching the youngsters is great. They have a very strong family bond.
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Watch them going a long hedge rows or from tree to tree in the spring, eating song bird eggs and killing chicks. . . . . and they soon lose their appeal.
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Definitely but they are rather beautiful.