[whitby_sam]

I've found the culprit to our missing goslings and ducklings... Pretty sure now its crows! Is there anything i can do to stop them? Short of shooting them I don't know where to start!

[shetlandpaul]

shoot them. they are to clever to scare off. they just wait for you to go away.

[Teresa]

I think shooting would be the only way make sure your gosing and ducklings are safe. Scaring themaway doesnt last for long, theyre very clever. A friend lost a Cria (baby alpaca) to crows pecking it to death.

[Sharondp]

You need to shoot one and then put it on display for the others to see - they will make a hell of a racket but it will scare them off!

[CameronS]

Larsen Traps, baited with someform of meat, then shoot or ring their necks,

[Rosemary]

You need a licence for a Larssen trap don't you?

[Anke]

Our chicks are ALWAYS under wire mesh until big enough so that crows cannot eat them.

[CameronS]

i fond this on another site, hopefully it is a little help

The General licence is issued by authorities in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to allow the larsen trap to be used for the control of: Crows, Magpies, Rooks, Jackdaws and Jays. Wood pigeons and Sparrows were removed from the legal decoy list. All Larsen trapping operations carried out under the general license must have a reasonable purpose. Simply hating Crows or magpies is not a valid reason. Protecting livestock or protecting crops is a valid reason.

The General Licence states that welfare requirements of the decoy must be taken into account. Decoy birds must be provided with food, water, shelter and a perch. As with all traps the Larsen must be checked at least once a day. The best times to check are one hour before sunrise and one hour after sunset. Be aware that some traps can be filled with trapped birds many times a day, so keep checking during the day.

The Larsen trap is governed by a general licence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Captured birds provided they fall within the legal quarry list may be dispatched by an approved method. Any non target species must be released immediately!!

There is no set size to decoy cages.

When not in use Larsen traps MUST be rendered incapable of catching, i.e. no bird can push the trap door open and become caught as a result. Top opening traps can be turned upside down or have the door springs unhooked. Best practice is to store your traps when you have finished your trapping season.

General Licences:

General licences are issued by government agencies to provide a legal basis for people to carry out a range of activities relating to wildlife. By definition you do not need to apply for general licences but you are required by law to abide by their terms and conditions.

General licences are renewed annually in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. These general licences are made available on the websites of the relevant government agencies and include those general licences relevant to the all year round control of ‘pest birds’ such as magpie and woodpigeon. Control methods allowed under general licence include the use of larsen traps and multi-catch traps.

[shetlandpaul]

but that could pull more into the area that your trying to defend. plus you need a decoy. netting until you can terminate the threat.

[Earlsdale Farm]

Not easy to shoot either, as they are really clever birds!
And stay save and legal!!
Put the little ones under a net or in a pen is the easiest and safest option.

[bamford6]

there is 1 way make a square with netting 4 ft by 4ft square put some eggs in there make a tunnel at the top they get in and they carnt get out iv had 50 in 1 trap duck eggs are theer fav