The Duncan Posted January 1, 2011 Report Share Posted January 1, 2011 Hi folks. I'm looking for some answers. I was led to believe that rooks were like crows inasmuch as they will take eggs and fledglings from songbirds (and others nests) and thereby cause damage to these populations. I took part in the brancher day, thinking I was doing my bit for conservation, only to be told that actually, rooks don't follow the egg/fledgling behaviour of crows. So why do we cull them? Brancher day has been a tradition for centuries! I won't be shooting another one til I have good reason. My thanks for any constructive answers! ATB Duncan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poontang Posted January 1, 2011 Report Share Posted January 1, 2011 Your friend was right. Unlike Crows they don't take eggs and chicks. They are a pest due to the damage they cause to crops. I like Rooks. You can't beat the sound of a Rookery in full voice!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
libs Posted January 1, 2011 Report Share Posted January 1, 2011 Your friend was right. I like Rooks. You can't beat the sound of a Rookery in full voice!! Unless you live next door to one! They also take feed and **** all over things.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Duncan Posted January 1, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 1, 2011 Thanks for that Poontang; I'll leave 'em then, unless I end up with a farm permission with that specific problem. Many thanks Duncan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wickedwickedmotox Posted January 1, 2011 Report Share Posted January 1, 2011 The reason i shoot rooks are because of the devastation they can cause to a freshly sown field, they will walk a line and peck all the seeds out, there particular favourite being peas and maize, although when ploughing they can be usefull as they are very partial to leather jackets! Just my views from what i have seen and i dont go out my way to shoot them until late autumn spring when we begin sowing hope this helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Duncan Posted January 1, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 1, 2011 The reason i shoot rooks are because of the devastation they can cause to a freshly sown field, they will walk a line and peck all the seeds out, there particular favourite being peas and maize, although when ploughing they can be usefull as they are very partial to leather jackets! Just my views from what i have seen and i dont go out my way to shoot them until late autumn spring when we begin sowing hope this helps I'd heard of the benefical 'leather jacket habit' they have. So shooting them reallyis for crop protection only. Thanks for the response Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poontang Posted January 1, 2011 Report Share Posted January 1, 2011 Unless you live next door to one! They also take feed and **** all over things.. I used to live next door to one. Loved it. All birds **** over things, I don't think you can demonise them for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wy111 Posted January 1, 2011 Report Share Posted January 1, 2011 Your correct in the fact that they do not follow the pattern of other Corvids, by egg a chick eating, BUT, they do a lot of damage to farmers and gamekeepers. They mainly eat leatherjckets, which are easy to get when a field has been re drilled, but in doing so, turn a lot of drilled seed onto the surface as well, so bonus for them. To me, the amount of wheat that can be eaten from feeders is enormous. I worked out, if I am correct, that 100 rooks eating 1oz a day, is about equivalent to 1 ton a year and at present prices around £190/ton, it is a lot a money to waste. Branchers can be eaten, just take out the breasts, very similar to pigeon. Did some as a surprise at a BBQ, even the lasses there asked if there was more Another reason. If the rookery is close to habitation, the noise can be deafening. Can be a good way to get a permission or two Another thing. Foxes seem to hang around when they are branching, for fallen ones, so another option there as well Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunderbuss Posted January 1, 2011 Report Share Posted January 1, 2011 I've just read a superb book about the natural history of rooks called "Crow Country" by Mark Cocker. Despite the title, it is mainly about rooks and jackdaws as these two species feed and roost together. They mainly eat invertebrates and as far as I can see do far less damage than crows, I am quite reluctant to shoot them unless specifically asked to do so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Duncan Posted January 1, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 1, 2011 Your correct in the fact that they do not follow the pattern of other Corvids, by egg a chick eating, BUT, they do a lot of damage to farmers and gamekeepers. They mainly eat leatherjckets, which are easy to get when a field has been re drilled, but in doing so, turn a lot of drilled seed onto the surface as well, so bonus for them. To me, the amount of wheat that can be eaten from feeders is enormous. I worked out, if I am correct, that 100 rooks eating 1oz a day, is about equivalent to 1 ton a year and at present prices around £190/ton, it is a lot a money to waste. Branchers can be eaten, just take out the breasts, very similar to pigeon. Did some as a surprise at a BBQ, even the lasses there asked if there was more Another reason. If the rookery is close to habitation, the noise can be deafening. Can be a good way to get a permission or two Another thing. Foxes seem to hang around when they are branching, for fallen ones, so another option there as well Dave Thanks for expanding wy111 - very useful and much appreciated Duncan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted January 2, 2011 Report Share Posted January 2, 2011 I don't have much problem with Rooks on the whole but last Summer had a real issue with them on one of my landowners Thatched Roof. Mornings and evenings they would land on mass, make a hell of a noise and pull thatch from the roof, no idea why as they had been in the area for years and this was the first time. Looked a right mess and was more than annoying as you can imagine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Duncan Posted January 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2011 I don't have much problem with Rooks on the whole but last Summer had a real issue with them on one of my landowners Thatched Roof. Mornings and evenings they would land on mass, make a hell of a noise and pull thatch from the roof, no idea why as they had been in the area for years and this was the first time. Looked a right mess and was more than annoying as you can imagine! and very very expensive to put right Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildfowler.250 Posted January 2, 2011 Report Share Posted January 2, 2011 I have baited a crow trap before with hens eggs and caught rooks in it the same day,(no call bird either). I had 3 rooks in 3 days in it...so as far as I'm concerned they will eat birds eggs if they find them and as a result get shot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poontang Posted January 2, 2011 Report Share Posted January 2, 2011 I have baited a crow trap before with hens eggs and caught rooks in it the same day,(no call bird either). I had 3 rooks in 3 days in it...so as far as I'm concerned they will eat birds eggs if they find them and as a result get shot! Of course they will. It's an easy meal for them, but it's not part of their natural diet. If you put bread out for garden birds they'll eat it, but I've never them down at Tesco buying a loaf. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunganick Posted January 2, 2011 Report Share Posted January 2, 2011 A farm i shoot on has a huge problem with them pecking through the plastic that covers/protects the grain for the cattle for the year. Both Rooks and crows do it and they were going through new tarps very fast. They also caused damage to crops on the edges of fields. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildfowler.250 Posted January 2, 2011 Report Share Posted January 2, 2011 Well I think a birds nest would look like an easy meal too I've seen plenty of birds buying bread in tescos...but they are usually about 70 and waaay past their best :yp: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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