Our next litter will be the first to be born in this house.  We have a large "rookery" in some big lime trees about a hundred yards from my house - I'm not sure whether they are rooks, crows or jackdaws nesting there, but there are a lot of them, and they often overfly the house (rather like the Spies of Sauron scene from LOTR).  I often see jackdaws at any rate on the roofs of the houses round about, including my own, so I'm guessing that's what they are.
Of course, the puppies will go outside to play when they are a few weeks old.  I hadn't thought about it before, but my husband was worried that the birds might harm the puppies.  Is he right?  In which case I shall have to buy a roof panel for my run.  Mine is a medium sized breed, so they are not exactly tiny babies, but not that big either.

I used to breed rabbits and when the babies were out in their run the magpies would come down and try to get into the run at the babies

I dont know what these sort of birds would do with puppies, so sorry im not much use :rolleyes:

Claire :)

Yes they might do, so it would be best if you were out there when they are and then bring them in when you are not. Best to air on caution. I have heard of them taking puppies so better safe than not. :) What breed are they?

If they are only 3 to 4 weeks it is a possibility, so think a roof or the dam would be the answer, but if the other dogs are out in the yard too I don't think you would be unaware that there were birds landing in the yard. Well not if they are like mine, bird removal a speciality.

If they are nesting in a colony at the top of tall trees, they sound like rooks. Jackdaws are much smaller and have a silver sheen on the back of their heads. Both these birds feed predominantly on much smaller food than the average pup. A carrion crow would probably be a little more risky and I would suggest something like a black-backed or herring gull to be a much worse risk for a tiny puppy. (They've got huge mouths, eat virtually anything and have little fear of humans)

So, the birds you are worrying about have a relatively low risk. Obviously the choice is yours.

I have elkhounds.  I've only seen jackdaws around here (I recognise them by their silver "hat"), but I can't see what the things in the trees are because the leaves are so thick.  Don't think they can be crows - they don't "caw".  They have a range of calls, most usually a "tcheugh" sound and are especially noisy in the evenings, when they say what sounds like "buck" when they're arguing before bed.  Think I will invest in a couple of roof panels, just to put my mind at rest.  Glad I asked, really.

As Havoc says, if they are all-black and nesting in a colony, they are rooks. Rooks eat worms, insects and grain, not carrion, so your pups would be safe.

Jackdaws often feed alongside rooks and crows, and feed mainly on insect larvae, but also take eggs, young birds, slugs and worms, so once again, I would think your pups would be safe.

If they are crows, which tend to live singly or pairs, then there is a risk that small pups could be taken as they do catch and kill small animals.

Interesting, I'm not into birds at all, truth is they scare me. We have a number of rookeries around us and I have often wondered why they spend so long in our exercise field because I have always thought they, being related to carrion crows, were the same, so have found out what they are doing in the field, still scared though.

If you want to know the difference between Rooks and Crows, the old saying is, "If you see one rook it's a crow and if you see two Crows they're Rooks!"

Best wishes, John

Well they are rooks without doubt, we must have them in the field about a 100 at a time along with the fattest woodies I have ever seen.

I always want to know that they are dead before I'll risk sending Anna to retrieve them. Given a chance they will peck at the eyes and can easily blind a dog!

Best wishes, John

Are we talking rooks or woodies?

Woodies are OK Jackie. The only problem with them is loose feathers. A lot of dogs don't like retrieving them because they end up with a mouth full of feathers. The shear size (Not far off the size of a small Turkey) of a Canada goose makes it difficult for an inexperienced dog to handle.

Crows and Jackdaws are the danger birds. I never take liberties with them. They also have an oily taste some dogs don't like although using the right approach most retrievers will hold most things.

Best wishes, John

Get ducks and pheasants in the field too, to date, no geese although we do get them in the dyke. Everything except the pheasants fly off when I let the dogs out but they seem too stupid to work it out and just run up and down the fence much to the delight of the hounds who practice a bit of team work to get it held 'at bay'. Have to say they then seem confused as to what they should do with it and I usually have to step in and show it how to get over the fence, with my dislike of birds, make that, an act of courage. :)  the hounds are disgusted.

Dear John
What happens if there crooks? Answer from my daughter: send for the police. :)

WHAT, someone breeding crossbreeds again? ;)

Best wishes, John