[Newbie]

I love you crazy people. get the chooks a lovely beaded curtain like mummy used to have (and a fondue).....

[Roughlee Handled]

Thanks all for your help the magpies made 24 visits to the coop yesterday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes I will put all 24 clips for those who want to watch.  My fav clip is number 14 you will see why.  

Clip 14 my fav

In the mean time till I manage to get a Larson Trap.  £80 for a decent one for trapping crows and magpies.  Rookery 1/2 mile away and just incase they become a problem.  

Tip. Top access is for magpies and side access for crows.  Mirror in side is a good idea to attract 1st.  Law states you must give your attractor (what ever it is called) bird access to water and a perch.  

I have placed a old stock carrot bag over the front of the coop see photo. I rubbed my arms with bag to put my sent on it dont know if it will do any good.  


Not looking forward to dispatching the magpies but it has to be done if I want eggs and that is the whole point of my ladies.


P&RH

[too many girls]

the game keeper used to trap magpies in a larson trap on our land, they were pinching the pheasant eggs from the wood, sam was about 6 and his job was to check the traps and ring the game keeper if it had caught one (they left a magpie in it to attract other magpies) this was done in exchange for wages (bag of sweeties) the game keeper told Sam he was training the magpies for the circus, in reality he had a whole bunch of dead ones under the passenger seat. Sam's 14 now and has been heard to remark he's never seen a magpie in a circus......................

[compostqueen]

 

Seriously though, how can you hope to eliminate every egg-thieving magpie?  Isn't prevention the solution?

Mrs M. Pie
The Rookery

[Roughlee Handled]

All the videos as promised
The coop opening.  Watch how they squeeze through.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14 (My Fav)
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24

[Roughlee Handled]

After I put the bag up success my first egg in a week.  

But I know that they will learn and get brave.  So one Larson Trap has been purchased.

[mdueal]

No 14 is a classic!! Good chucky! Hope you have solved your problem with the bag - if not trap should teach em a lesson

[Foxy]

How about turning the coop round -and on the side paint a pop hole! Then the crows think theres a door.....and give up after a while, then turn it back round again job done!  

[Roughlee Handled]

I wonder where the saying comes from a cunning as a foxy?

[milly8]

wot that dog got in his mouth??

[Roughlee Handled]

wot that dog got in his mouth??

LOL      

I was waiting for that one.  
Yes she has the "Egg shell" in her mouth and I am trying to teach her that eating broken eggs is bad. Oh and going in the coop is bad as well.  But no success.  I am convinced that it was the Magpies see the picture below.

But well spotted.

[Foxy]

I wonder where the saying comes from a cunning as a foxy?

If I say so myself twas a blindlingly good idea!!!      

[muntjac]

make the trap yourself .... £10 all in  piccy of one i made

http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=4774&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=larsen+trap&start=15
also thanks to

http://www.ew.govt.nz/Environmental-information/Plant-and-animal-pests/Animal-pests/Magpies/Construction-of-a-magpie-trap/#Heading5 for a great plan

[SalJ1980]

Very considerate of the slug to stay to the side of the camera lens, so you could still see the hen house!

And number 14 is great, your girl certainly told the magpie to Cluck off!  

[Roughlee Handled]

Could not wait on the way home last night went and purchased a Larson trap. 1 side and 1 top entery.  Used bate of an egg in the top entry and cheese in the side. Slugs ate the cheese.  Next time going to use a golf ball. This morning at 07:30 found I had caught a magpie in top entry.  Its mate was close by.  Set up the lure cage it has water, feed, shade and a perch as the law states.  Watch out they can nip!!

Photos are here click on the link (not embedded the photos in this post as do not want to upset anyone)

Photo 1

Photo 2