A couple of months ago my brother asked me about acquiring swans. Well, he does know I have chickens. Not sure if he is aware I have a trio of ducks and a couple of geese or not. I asked some questions about why, and gradually the exchange ceased without me really understanding the information he wanted.
Conversation resumed today. His neighborhood has a small lake (about 2 acres). And many canadian geese--who eat the grass down to bare dirt and make huge messes. Their landscaper told them to plant bushes to make the lake less hospitable, and "he should know better than anyone how to make the lake less attractive to the geese."
That bushes will hide predators, so the geese will be scared to be in a place with bushes.
Personally I think the geese will enjoy the shade and ability to HIDE from predators. And the landscaper will enjoy the dollars earned from his scam to sell extra bushes.
I'm not sure if the idea of swans to chase off the canadians originated with the landscaper or elsewhere. It does sound like there are too many geese for the area (he said about 200). What I am not sure of is whether two swans would be able to chase off that many geese, and second, whether a two acre lake is small enough to make the swans refuse to share it at all, as compared with selecting various parts for different flocks.
I suggested that he talk to his state's Game and Fish Department or the Fish and Wildlife Service for ideas on controlling the overpopulation, and making the lake less appealing to the geese.
So, will swans chase away the geese? Will bushes chase them away? Alternative suggestions?
BTW, I personally like canadians, and if I had a lake would welcome them.
Conversation resumed today. His neighborhood has a small lake (about 2 acres). And many canadian geese--who eat the grass down to bare dirt and make huge messes. Their landscaper told them to plant bushes to make the lake less hospitable, and "he should know better than anyone how to make the lake less attractive to the geese."
I'm not sure if the idea of swans to chase off the canadians originated with the landscaper or elsewhere. It does sound like there are too many geese for the area (he said about 200). What I am not sure of is whether two swans would be able to chase off that many geese, and second, whether a two acre lake is small enough to make the swans refuse to share it at all, as compared with selecting various parts for different flocks.
I suggested that he talk to his state's Game and Fish Department or the Fish and Wildlife Service for ideas on controlling the overpopulation, and making the lake less appealing to the geese.
So, will swans chase away the geese? Will bushes chase them away? Alternative suggestions?
BTW, I personally like canadians, and if I had a lake would welcome them.