[Micko]

HELP....would be dead grateful for any advice on dealing with Magpies stealing our eggs. There's around 6-8 eggs being taken by them each day, mostly from the same shed. We've tried putting eggs back in the shed filled with mustard/chilli type of mixture and those have disappeared and they're coming back for more (obviously thought they tasted champion!) Also tried sheeting over the entrance. Thought about shooting them but....ain't got a gun! and can't afford one of those Larsen traps.

Do the owl decoys work? Bet the cunning Magpie buggers soon get used to them and ignore them....? Anyone got any experience as they're now getting into the other sheds.

Cheers Micko

[doganjo]

The only way to stop them stealing is kill them or stop them gaining entry.  If you know when your hens lay you can collect the eggs before the magpies get a chance.  My cat is pretty good at killing off the youngsters in the spring but he doesn't tackle the adults.  However letting the dogs run around for a lot of the day stops them coming down for long.
Sorry can't help other than that.

[HappyHippy]

Netting the top of their run/shed to stop the blighters getting in would be best, but I know it's not always possible 
We used a slug gun with great effect to scare them off, as long as you fire some shots in their direction every day or so for a couple of weeks they'll get the idea and move away - hell, you might even get one (like we did - not that we saw it, as soon as it was down about 4 cats nabbed it  )
Good luck,
Karen

[Micko]

Thanks for both your thoughts. Tricky buggers aren't they. The netting is definitely worth thinking about but there quite large areas....the buy a gun option is sounding more and more like a canny idea. Presume you don't need a licence for an air rifle (haven't a clue about guns)?

[shrekfeet]

no licence for an air rifle. Why not  just build a trap and then bait it with eggs and catch the blighters. Bet you can get what you need for a trap for around a tenner

[Micko]

Like the sound of building your own trap....and mighty cheaper than the Larsen. I'll have a search around for details unless ayone knows more about how to build? Cheers loads Micko.

[daddymatty82]

where abouts are you can you not ask a fellow member to do a bit of pest control for a few eggs or something? just an idea of course my only option would be to shoot them if every thing else has failed  plus i have two acts that bring in alive and bloody magpie into the house now and again but i use two lots of 6x4 pea net tied together with twine

[Anke]

We had a similar problems with crows in early summer, but now seems it have gone quieter... However around here people shoot a crow (or if they find a fresh! road kill) and hang the dead bird up just over the entrance, but outwith the reach if the hens... is meant to scare the crows and aparently works???!!!

I think air rifle is the only option if the problem gets out of hand.

[darkbrowneggs]

Larsen traps work best with a "call bird" that is a magpie caught in another area.  The local population will be incensed by this interloper and will try to get at it thereby being caught themselves.  As yours have taken eggs one or two might fall for the trap, but you are unlikely to catch the whole tribe.

Go to your local game suppliers/merchants and ask around.  The Larsen traps often do the round during the season, though I suspect you are a bit late at this time of year.

Try using pepper eggs (loads of white powdered pepper) and also fake rubber eggs.  Or what about a spring trap on the pop-hole to the hen house.  I take it the hens go out through a pop hole, and not through a open door, because if not then start by making a pop hole entrance, possibly with a little tunnel first.

All the best
Sue
Dark Brown Eggs