Magpies stealing my eggs

[Boobonman]

I’ve got four chickens in the garden, lovely things and great layers. Lately magpies have started swooping into their coop when the last chicken has laid and wandered off and eating their eggs.

Am I going to have to start shooting them?

Do I need to shoot one and they’ll get the message?

I’d prefer not to have to kill anything but it’s got to stop.

I’m also worried that because they sometimes pierce the eggs and leave them half full in the coop l that the chickens will start getting a taste for their own eggs.

[fasimew]

Have you tried reasoning with them?

[Sheets Tabuer]

fasimew said:

Have you tried reasoning with them?

These things aren't always black and white

[AndyAudi]

Maybe try a plastic owl 🦉

[rallye101]

If you shoot one, stick it in the freezer until you're ready to get more...they make great decoys

[Boobonman]

fasimew said:

Have you tried reasoning with them?

I’ve had the head of security approach to try and start peace negotiations but they don’t seem to want to engage

[GriffoDP]

Are you or the dog any good with technology? I've been considering building something using intelligent vision to identify when pigeons land in one of my trees. You could build a magpie camera that... explodes them with a high powered laser. Or makes a loud noise.

[Boobonman]

I’ve been doing full close protection the last two mornings, extracting the eggs immediately upon delivery, this won’t be feasible in the week though.

May have to get the .22 out and start blasting.

[Blackpuddin]

Sheets Tabuer said:

fasimew said:

Have you tried reasoning with them?

These things aren't always black and white

very good