Snapper

Thanks for your suggestions (especially the very useful comment from Clockman). Peckedhen that's really kind of you to post the pictures - I've got problems with cats etc so I'd rather not use a net this time (I did the last time I needed to home some new doves but I've now moved house).

I'm struggling to find a new homing-box for my dovecote (there's one on ebay but £40 is a bit steep!). Any suggestions? Thanks a lot.

Thanks everyone. I'll give it a try.

I've moved to Germany (Osnabruck area) and want to get a few pairs of Fantails for the dovecote in my garden. Not sure where to begin - sadly I couldn't bring my old birds from UK due to bird-flu restrictions etc so I gave them to a friend. Has anyone had any experience of keeping them in Germany (suppliers, restrictions etc)? I'd be very grateful for any advice.

I'm moving to Germany soon (Osnabruck/Munster area) and want to get some garden fantails. Does anyone have any contacts for this area - I don't know anyone at all...and my German is not very good. Any help/advice would be really appreciated. Thanks everyone.

Thanks everyone for the advice. The attacked youngster seems to have recovered a bit and is feeding. Will def get a Larsen Trap - loads of Magpies round here!

Thanks everyone for the advice. The attacked youngster seems to have recovered a bit and is feeding. Will def get a Larsen Trap - loads of Magpies round here!

Never used a Larsen Trap but did a Google search... Can someone please explain how they work - and how do you get the call-bird that you need for them? Thanks everyone for your help.

Never used a Larsen Trap but did a Google search... Can someone please explain how they work - and how do you get the call-bird that you need for them? Thanks everyone for your help.

Never used a Larsen Trap but did a Google search... Can someone please explain how they work - and how do you get the call-bird that you need for them? Thanks everyone for your help.

Never used a Larsen Trap but did a Google search... Can someone please explain how they work - and how do you get the call-bird that you need for them? Thanks everyone for your help.

Never used a Larsen Trap but did a Google search... Can someone please explain how they work - and how do you get the call-bird that you need for them? Thanks everyone for your help.

I've just pulled 2 magpies off one of my baby Garden Fantails. It had just left the Dovecote and is not flying well yet. The bird is bloodied but I think it should live. The magpies killed another youngster last week in the same way. Any ideas on how to discourage the magpies - apart from shooting them?

Thanks for the help. Pfew! Glad it's nothing serious.

I've noticed that one of my pairs of garden fantails have developed thinning feathers on their heads. Looks as though they've been in the water. Otherwise healthy looking. Is this anything to be concerned about? Would be glad of any advice.