We have a breeding program at college ![attachment=1]
when / if they raise some young this year I'll post some photo's
I have a bleeding problem as well. But I do encourage the beggers in the winter, why do they only eat the pink tulip bulbs and not the black, don't dare tell me they are racists ;)
perhaps the black ones are toxic to squirrels? ;)
What will happen to the offspring if you breed any. We are lucky in only having reds over here all the greys are kept off even to the extent that they check any tall vehicles on the ferrys that come through the new forest, in case any have been knocked out of the overgrowing tree limbs.
I find they do not like change and will stop breeding right out for a year if too badly disturbed, they won't breed if to closely related and need tree highways to move away once they are able to look after themselves. I do not especially encourage them but they love my grape vine in the hedge and the peanuts and raisins I put out for the pheasants.
they got a Scottish male coming down to norfolk to 'sort out' the local females! ;D ;D to stop the inbreeding (squirrels, ace!) there is a national breeding program, apparently.