Crows spoiling bales

[TexelBen]

We baled some 4 stringers last summer, looked good haylage, wrapped them with 6 layers and stacked them in the field. Contractors looked to do a good job baking and wrapping them, any tears I patched up from handling them (bale squeeze)
Been feeding housed in lamb ewes on them, at least half of them have been pecked open by crows and spoilt, I've tried to salvage as much as I can, but a good few bales are nakkered.
I'm gonna have to buy in some hay to make up for the bad bales, and paying twice bloody smarts!!
I'd love to make hay and store it, but we don't have the room
What options do I have to stop them buggering it all up this year?

Tia

 

[bobk]

Shoot the barstewards

 

[Cowmansam]

Silage top sheet over the stack

 

[Cowmansam]

Silage top sheet over the stack

 

[TexelBen]

Shoot the barstewards

Would be a full-time job, there's a wood close to our land where they all roost

 

[TexelBen]

Silage top sheet over the stack

Like what you'd use to sheet a clamp?

 

[Homesy]

Move them against a hedge as soon as they are wrapped. The crows go after the insects that land on the newly wrapped bales however the crows do not seem to touch them if the bales are against a hedge. Otherwise use a banger until bales have been stacked then cover with a net.

 

[z.man]

Wrap some straw and place it on the top layer?

 

[Cowmansam]

Like what you'd use to sheet a clamp?

Like the heavy top sheets the green mesh type ones

 

[Vader]

Couple days shooting.
Hang deads ones up round heap.

 

[neilo]

 

[Wilksy]

I’ve got two ladder traps to make for this very reason

 

[Derrick Hughes]

How long before you stacked them

 

[Greythundercloudys]

I had afew bales done in the clear wrap picked buy crows but the black stuff have been fine, 6layers,wrapped at stack and end stacked, no clear wrap this season, very frustrating.

 

[aangus]

I had afew bales done in the clear wrap picked buy crows but the black stuff have been fine, 6layers,wrapped at stack and end stacked, no clear wrap this season, very frustrating.

A couple of spots of grease on each top bale

 

[axehandle]

we have an ongoing war against crows , especially at calving time , just got some 5 cm mist nets and put them up in the sheds , that surprised them got 15 in one and 12 in another on the first day !

 

[Werzle]

Always cover the stacks here with the old pit silage secure covers. Hanging dead crows on a stick/string and also lying a few on there backs ,wings outstretched seems to frighten the others away. They are sods this time of year during nest building/breeding time.

 

[Wilksy]

Knocked this up yesterday for a farmer friend, if your not too far into nth york’s I can do you one

 

[davidroberts30]

Knocked this up yesterday for a farmer friend, if your not too far into nth york’s I can do you one

I've never had any success with a ladder trap‍♂

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Crows don't spoil bales . Its lazy farmers that spoil bales [emoji23]