Feeding magpies in trap...

[Danny123 1]

What are the best tings to feed to magpies?

 

I have been told different things by different people from dog food rabbit offal?

 

Also does anyone have any tips to keep magpies and to help increase my chances of gaining the attention of other magpies?

 

Thanks,

Danny.

[patdahat 41]

i find tins of cat food work just fine, a ponny of fresh water every day, and a cover over him to keep the rain off his back, works for me.

[dogs-n-natives 1,182]

I feed my crows and magpies whole rabbit when working the traps, their feed then also helps attract others. I keep hens, so i also use eggs to both feed the call birds and in the catching compartments in a fake nest of hay. If im overwintering birds in large aviarys they are fed a staple of soaked dog meal, along with various game and vermin carcasses.

For fast results with your larsen, pin point an area well inside a territorial pairs territory and position in a good quiet place preferably near a fence or small tree etc. Top entry traps are best with magpies (for me anyway) and placing near a natural perch will help the birds approach from above, they will also have a good look at the bait etc...

I check mine at dusk to avoid putting birds off the traps

If the trap gets no attention move it to a different location(dosent have to be far) try and make the resident pair threatened by your call bird , you will find if you pick the right spot you will get very quick results and are able to move around cleaning up all the breeding pairs on your patch.

Edited April 13, 2009 by dogs-n-natives

[Danny123 1]

Thanks for the replies.

 

I am restricted to where I can put the trap as theres been alot of people going round freeing birds and the local farmer has had traps damaged, so fingers crossed it works where it is.

[dogs-n-natives 1,182]

Thanks for the replies.

 

I am restricted to where I can put the trap as theres been alot of people going round freeing birds and the local farmer has had traps damaged, so fingers crossed it works where it is.

Good luck

 

I know a few people who run a trap in their gardens to protect wild birds etc, and they pick plenty up... there traps never move from the one place. But like all vermin, you kill em and more will quickly fill the void.

 

DnN