[valr]

Several have started hanging around my garden ... do they steal eggs???

[Hardfeather]

Yup.

[Wizard]

Yes and attack most things smaller than they are.We once saw one pecking the eyes out of a small lamb.The only legal way is a Larsen Trap or of course an ounce and a sixteenth of number six.vair dear in the Google box type are magpies vermin click on the page that appears scroll down to Songbird survival click There you will find a good report on what you wish to know.In days gone by keepers would make a nest on the ground and make sure the magpie could see the two or three eggs in it the only thing was the eggs had  had a needle that had been dipped in strychnine pushed into it  the bird came along pinched the egg and died the fox /rat /rook/crow came thought wow a free lunch with no work A dead fox/etc; the next scavenger came along and it was dead to so the practice was made illegal.A good job to because your pet dog might find it as well as the scavengers.Oh no my dog wouldn't do any thing like that Yeah Ive heard it all before.Theres not a lot the vet can do if it did get some

[Rosemary]

Yes, they do steal eggs and they are smarter and bolder than you might give them credit for.

[fizzgigg]

yeh i even had them flying into the shed through the pop hole to get my eggs get ur self a larson trap or build 1 i got the plans if u need em

[Wizard]

Hey up Fizz The only trouble wi a Larsen is "what do I do wi the bods Ive caught?"  Wring their bloody necks .Oh I couldn't do that its cruel Eh you heard that one

[Hardfeather]

I saw one on my way home today, flying out of a hedge and a blackbird angrily chasing it.

This is the first year I've seen one at this time of year here. We've heard them in late winter, then they seemed to disappear. This year they seem to be established. This area was once a very large estate with half a dozen keepers. It was sold, and asset-stripped, and has only one keeper now and he doesn't have much land to keep. The vermin are taking advantage.

Does anyone have plans for the construction of a Larsen trap?

[Wizard]

Hey up A HAVE YOU READ THE POST BY FIZZ 2 BACK OR IF YOU LIKE THE ONE BEFORE MINE?

[valr]

I'd be grateful if someone wd post details of the trap - I have 3 magpies hanging around my chickens every day !!!! Freaky.... and egg production has dropped very dramatically. I think they are laying in the garden bec the nest box is occupied .. but normally would find them under bushes etc so I think magpies must be the culprits. They also swooop down and steal the treats I give the chooks.
I have also noticed a huge increase in other wild birds in the garden since I got chickens .... the cats are having a ball!

[valr]

ps
what I mean is - the cats are finding the birds an interesting sight and chatter their teeth at them and attempt to chase them without success   

[Moregin]

PM sent - I may be able to help you out with all your troubles!!!

In Scotland there is a requirement be registered with your local wildlife officer and a tag on the trap with his contact details and your trap number on it.  Check out the Scottish Office site http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/01/04143731/6 for full details.

I fell foul of this two years ago when the law was changed and the tag thing was introduced.  A 'kind' member of the public reported the bird was in a cage on my ground and I came home to find two SSPCA guys removing the bird for a VET TO EXAMINE to ensure I hadnt been cruel and unkind to it.  They had called the Police to enter my property under escort to examine the bird.  It was quite evident there was food and water for it along with a shelter area and three different types of perch.  The trap was not in operation at the time but the officer was quite firm in his assurance that there would be further action should they prove negligence on my part.  Once the vet report came back that the bird was plump and healthy but had a bashed tail feather they passed the details onto the local Procurator Fiscal to deal with it.  Allegedly it was held in an aviary until the courts decided what to do.  I never heard a thing about it again admittedly but i was a bit upset and angry about it as they had confiscated the bird and made me feel like some master criminal with the comments about vet checks and prosecution.  All I had done wrong was not have the tag on the cage!!!  My insurance company provided a lawyer to pursue the case and he tore strips off of them for the hassle that the whole thing caused.  Suffice to say the one I operate now is tagged and registered but I am carefull about where its located now.

[Wizard]

Good mornin Morgan As I keep saying bloody animals have more rights than you and I What did it cost to remove the magpie.According to NSPCC there are far more terrible things being done to children but few cares until one is found battered.Its time things were put into their real perspective and place ANIMALS come second to humans .No I DO NOT SUPPORT animal cruelty in any way shape or form.When Foxes and Badgers receive precedence over me Its time to reverse back to the chain with humans on the top.

[fizzgigg]

hey wizzard u see that bird on ma arm he loves em or the ferrets wring their necks n feed em to somthing else waste nowt