[Lesley Silvester]

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?

[roddycm]

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

[Lesley Silvester]

That's a relief. I used to live in sheep farming country and I remember the panic when a crow appeared during lambing season.

[jinglejoys]

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

[Ideation]

No, but they will play havoc with your song birds.

[Lesley Silvester]

Maybe they'll just go for the pigeons. 


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.

[ZaktheLad]

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. 

[Ideation]

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.

[Lesley Silvester]

Definitely but they are rather beautiful.