Crows

[julia-mag]

Can anyone tell me please if crows that are making a nest in my oak tree will frighten away the smaller birds from the feeding stations we have under the tree?

[Kleiber]

Jomifl, my lovely, you've contradicted yourself a bit. One-eyed sheep are not uncommon, but crows don't peck the eyes out of a newborn lamb that's not already dead????? I haven't mentioned newborn lambs in my replies up to now and I agree that usually the lambs are dead before the crows get to them. However, if an adult sheep gets cast, then crows will have no hesitation in attacking - that's what happened to my old lass. Also, a couple of weeks ago, one of a neighbour's ewes was having difficulty giving birth in the field and whilst she was down, crows not only pecked at her eyes, but at her udder as well. I had a panic phone call, asking for help and we had to chase the crows away from the ewe. We had to "pull" the lamb and, fortunately, mum and baby both survived, but the ewe is only producing milk from one side. Good thing she didn't have twins!

[Kleiber]

Sorry, I misread your post, jomifl. But crows will go for any sheep that's in trouble.

[jomifl]

Kleiber, I bow to your greater experience of the depradations of crows and I think you would be fully justified in shooting crows that were attacking lifestock. The point that I was hoping to make was that because crows sometimes attack livestock in some parts of the country doesn't mean that crows elsewhere should be persecuted. Crows are very quick learners and would probably catch on to the idea that attacking livestock is not a good thing, when they see their relatives killed whilst pecking sheep.

[Kleiber]

Thank you, jomifl. Still friends? BTW, the reason we don't see many one-eyed sheep around is because once they're down, they will die unless someone gets to them pdq. My old lass was lucky, i found her after only a few minutes. K xx

[jomifl]

Kleiber, I used to keep pigs so I do understand at least some of the frustrations of keeping livestock. You wouldn't believe (well you probably would) the creative methods of self destruction that pigs can find.

[Kleiber]

I love pigs - I used to keep them, too, but don't any more. They're great escape artists. I still think all sheep have a death wish.

[Birdfeeder]

just be glad they aren't the cows that hammerman has in his garden that are nesting in your trees.