Magpies on my sheep.....

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Magpies on my sheep.....
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Lionheart

Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Posts: 427
Location: Cheshire

Posted: Fri Oct 27, 06 8:56 am Post subject: Magpies on my sheep.....
During the last few days I've noticed some magpies crawling over the backs of some of my ewes and pecking at them when they've been lying down. Unfortunately, I can't shoot them as they're right next to a main road. Should I be worried.................?? Thanks in advance C.

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Fri Oct 27, 06 9:07 am Post subject: Re: Magpies on my sheep.....

ReevesRareBreeds wrote:

Unfortunately, I can't shoot them as they're right next to a main road.

If they are harming your animals you could try a Larsen trap. No idea when they should be used but I'm sure a few people know.

Bodger

Joined: 23 May 2006
Posts: 13524

Posted: Fri Oct 27, 06 9:08 am Post subject:
Check your sheep and see what if any damage the maggies are doing. They maybe just be eating parasites. If they are a problem give me a PM and I'll sort out plans for a larson trap for you.

Lorrainelovesplants

Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Posts: 6521
Location: Dordogne

Posted: Fri Oct 27, 06 9:11 am Post subject:

Could be that they are eating lice and stuff from the sheeps back. You should check your sheep at morning and night daily, down here in Cornwall its still warm, and I like to keep an eye out for flystrike. If you see a dark mass/area on the fleece or the sheep trying to reach back with its head, grab it for a closer inspection, as this needs dealt with immediately.
Hope your not going to shoot the maggies whilst they are on the sheep?? !!

Tinks

Joined: 16 May 2005
Posts: 678
Location: Berkshire

Posted: Fri Oct 27, 06 1:29 pm Post subject:
We have cows near us and they too have had their fair share of magpie hangers on!! I assumed they were after parasites. If the animals look calm then don't worry I reckon. They'd be leaping about if they were in any fear/discomfort, trying to get rid of the bird.

Pete

Joined: 20 Aug 2006
Posts: 82
Location: South Kent

Posted: Fri Oct 27, 06 2:45 pm Post subject:
That is right dont worry about it they are not doing them any harm

Gervase

Joined: 17 Nov 2004
Posts: 8655

Posted: Fri Oct 27, 06 5:23 pm Post subject:
Generally it's nothng to worry about, but if you have wethers with horn buds the magpies can peck these and make them bleed.

Hannah

Joined: 24 Feb 2005
Posts: 277
Location: Pembrokeshire

Posted: Fri Oct 27, 06 5:58 pm Post subject:
They land on my pigs too but the pigs don't seem to be bothered in the slightest by it. I can't see any marks afterwards either.

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Fri Oct 27, 06 6:14 pm Post subject:
Have your sheep got shiny things buried in their wool, perhaps?

moonwind

Joined: 10 Sep 2006
Posts: 1140

Posted: Fri Oct 27, 06 9:36 pm Post subject:

Magpies are a ruddy nuiscance.

They seem to sit on sheep at certina times of year (maybe their feet are cold!! haha).

More seriously is the point that birds that do tend to livestock hop are dangerous because they can spread diseases around from animal to animal from farm to farm.

You will notice how they hop from the animals back to its head and then start pecking around the eye area.

Apart from being a really good shot there is little you can do apart from clap your hands so the evil things clear off, and of course use the Larsen traps to keep numbers acceptable.

Might have a job catching your call bird this time of year mind, unless you know someone who keeps some for the purpose.

Silas

Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 6848
Location: Staffordshire

Posted: Sat Oct 28, 06 8:22 am Post subject:
The magpies are doing you a favour - they are looking for ticks and other paracites. I always make a point, when seeing a larson trap, of releasing the captive bird and dismantling the trap. It is about time these things were outlawed.

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Sat Oct 28, 06 8:42 am Post subject:

Silas wrote:

I always make a point, when seeing a larson trap, of releasing the captive bird and dismantling the trap. It is about time these things were outlawed.

By dismantling the trap you are breaking the law arn't you, so what's the point of then expecting the law to be changed?

Silas

Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 6848
Location: Staffordshire

Posted: Sat Oct 28, 06 8:54 am Post subject:

Treacodactyl wrote:

Silas wrote:

I always make a point, when seeing a larson trap, of releasing the captive bird and dismantling the trap. It is about time these things were outlawed.

By dismantling the trap you are breaking the law arn't you, so what's the point of then expecting the law to be changed?

I do not damage the trap, they clip apart. I am breaking the law though and am well aware of this - I have been confrunted twice about it and left my details with the landowner on both occasions and both times nothing has happened. I am quite prepared to have my day in court about it if that is what it takes. The publicity would be good,

moonwind

Joined: 10 Sep 2006
Posts: 1140

Posted: Sat Oct 28, 06 9:45 am Post subject:

Silas wrote:

Treacodactyl wrote:

Silas wrote:

I always make a point, when seeing a larson trap, of releasing the captive bird and dismantling the trap. It is about time these things were outlawed.

By dismantling the trap you are breaking the law arn't you, so what's the point of then expecting the law to be changed?

I am sure Larsens would be outlawed if there was a need to do so.

Damaging peoples property, and trespass, is already outlawed, and extreme behaviours from some of the more radical groups is, at long last, being taken more seriously by Government.

I can understand some people not liking the idea of Larsen traps, but have no time for those who would try to destroy or interefere with those people who do use them.

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Sat Oct 28, 06 10:11 am Post subject:

moonwind wrote:

I am sure Larsens would be outlawed if there was a need to do so.

I can't comment on the traps, as I don't know what they are like, but the above statement is not true. Times change. Badger baiting used to be fine, as did dog fighting and fox hunting. Attitudes change. Things that used to be OK stop being so. Laws get broken by demonstrators to change unjust, cruel, or plain wrong laws.

Simply because something is legal doesn't make it right, nor does something being illegal make it wrong.

p.s. I predict this threads will now get heated, uninformed and people will get upset.

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