Author Topic: Magpies (Read 4066 times)

manian · « **on:** July 17, 2011, 07:29:31 am »

Morning.......

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

jaykay · « **Reply #1 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?

Bright Raven · « **Reply #2 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

VSS · « **Reply #3 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.