[Ched]

Please can you help? Our chickens live in a big shed and are  free range by day. Now we have two magpies who enter the shed ( via the little chicken-sized opening) and peck  the eggs open.
We try and pick up eggs frequently during the day to stop this, but always lose some to the magpies.
I know it is them, I have caught them in there but unfortunatley they find a way out through the eaves.
Other than killing them ( which is looking the best option), any other ideas on how to stop these destructive birds?
I need help!! Ched :x

[Ruby Red]

Could suggest putting poison on a few or injecting poison into them but something else could take them.

[Kate and her Ducks]

Do what you can to get rid of these horrible birds. They take any of my eggs that get laid outside but more upsettingly they killed two of my 2 week old ducklings. Would be worried about poisoning the eggs that being said as sometimes the chooks can eat them. I went for a "scarecrow" approach - hanging an old shirt on the washing line so it flaps and obviously protected the babes from ariel attack better.

I hate these birds :evil:

[poultrygeist]

Could you try securing some strips of fabric over the pophole opening so that the chooks can still come and go but the magpies might be less brave.

I find our local ones clear off at the slightest noise or disturbance. Typical bullies  :?

As suggested, any type of scarecrow idea. CD's, flapping plastic, rattling tin cans, anything that makes a noise or flaps about.

Rob

[muntjac]

if you have an air rifle shoot them ,, keep within your boundary and make sure you have a safe back stop this is legal pest control as magpie's are on the vermin list under corvids , search larsen trap on here for another idea and also on google make your self one up  and put a dead road kill inside it , kil them inside the cage