Am I lucky or what?

[zooweemama]

I got ducks first. Then I added Chickens. Then geese.

Last week I opened the coop for the first time to the chickens. Free rangers. The ducks will come up out of the pond to say hi to us. Ignoring the chickens. COMPLETELY. It's like they do not exist. I was terrified the drakes would rape all my baby pullets and hens. They are not interested in the chickens at all. As soon as we leave- the ducks go back into the pond. They never approach the chickens unless we are near and actually they are checking us out- not the chickens.

Geese? Also could really care less about the chickens. They come up to us and chatter. If we go into the chicken coop- they will follow us in. Scares the poo out of the chickens and they all rush out- but the geese completely ignore the chickens- honking at us all the while (honking = talking. they love us to bits.).

Can this REALLY happen or will my bubble burst and all this will fall apart? LOL Do any of you have all these different types of birds co-mingling and the others really don't care about the others?

The geese WILL harrass the ducks though- but not the chickens?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I got ducks first. Then I added Chickens. Then geese.

Last week I opened the coop for the first time to the chickens. Free rangers. The ducks will come up out of the pond to say hi to us. Ignoring the chickens. COMPLETELY. It's like they do not exist. I was terrified the drakes would rape all my baby pullets and hens. They are not interested in the chickens at all. As soon as we leave- the ducks go back into the pond. They never approach the chickens unless we are near and actually they are checking us out- not the chickens.

Geese? Also could really care less about the chickens. They come up to us and chatter. If we go into the chicken coop- they will follow us in. Scares the poo out of the chickens and they all rush out- but the geese completely ignore the chickens- honking at us all the while (honking = talking. they love us to bits.).

Can this REALLY happen or will my bubble burst and all this will fall apart? LOL Do any of you have all these different types of birds co-mingling and the others really don't care about the others?

The geese WILL harrass the ducks though- but not the chickens?

My Muscovies/geese and chickens all live happily beside each other. mingle everyday. never had a problem. If my flock were closed up in a pen everyday together I really don't think it would work, but mine are free to come and go over a pretty large area so they all do fine. My drakes are very happy with their ducks.

 

[Kevin565]

You can get all of those birds to behave around each other?

. I can't even get the geese to behave around each other let alone the rest of the birds.

 

[Miss Lydia]

You can get all of those birds to behave around each other?

. I can't even get the geese to behave around each other let alone the rest of the birds.

Once in a while my oldest 2 drakes will have a falling out but it doesn't amount to much, not like in previous years [thank goodness] and my gander doesn't like mama hens when they have chicks because they want to kick his butt and he is huge compared to a bantam lol so I have to watch him during chick days. but they really do pretty much ignore each other.

 

[Kevin565]

Once in a while my oldest 2 drakes will have a falling out but it doesn't amount to much, not like in previous years [thank goodness] and my gander doesn't like mama hens when they have chicks because they want to kick his butt and he is huge compared to a bantam lol so I have to watch him during chick days. but they really do pretty much ignore each other.

. I think I just ended up with overly aggressive specimens. Which doesn't surprise me since they are Chinese Geese.

 

[jdywntr]

I had muscovy and chickens before and except when I had too many drakes, they didn't bother the chickens. Now, I have chickens, muscovy and geese. They are all in the same coop but have seperate areas. The geese will "goose" the chickens at the feeders, the ducks do to but otherwise they pretty much ignore eachother unless someone sounds the alarm.
Mine were not raised together. The ducks came first and were 3 months old then 2- 1.5 yr old chickens then the goslings at 1-3 weeks old, the pullets 4 months and finally the rooster 6 months old. The drake and the rooster had a bit of a spat the first day. The drake tried to bully the roo and the roo stood up to him. No problems since. I don't know if this will last after someone goes broody. I am trying to ensure that each will have a safe nest site.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I had muscovy and chickens before and except when I had too many drakes, they didn't bother the chickens. Now, I have chickens, muscovy and geese. They are all in the same coop but have seperate areas. The geese will "goose" the chickens at the feeders, the ducks do to but otherwise they pretty much ignore eachother unless someone sounds the alarm.
Mine were not raised together. The ducks came first and were 3 months old then 2- 1.5 yr old chickens then the goslings at 1-3 weeks old, the pullets 4 months and finally the rooster 6 months old. The drake and the rooster had a bit of a spat the first day. The drake tried to bully the roo and the roo stood up to him. No problems since. I don't know if this will last after someone goes broody. I am trying to ensure that each will have a safe nest site.

I think the boys will work things out, My gander is actually afraid of my batan/game rooster. it's hilarious to watch this huge gander run with his wings open to get away from the rooster who just lunges at the gander never touches him. I'm thinking when my goose begins to lay they will have to have the house all to themselves which means those sharing it now will have to move to other spaces. I have a small coop that is only used as a hatching coop for the chickens now thats where my teenage Muscovies will have to live eventually. Mama hen and chicks will have to go into the big chicken coop. Hopefully that will work out for the geese to have their own privacy.

 

[zooweemama]

Huh! So it can happen. I will keep my eyes on them though. I'm home everyday and do regular chicken checks lol. Especially since they are free ranging it now. Maybe it helps to have all the male chickens around too?

I'm sorry Kevin!! The geese although they harass the ducks...will swim with them quietly and even sleep with them in the pond during the day. But as soon as those geese see me- it's bossy city to those ducks.

 

[Kevin565]

Huh! So it can happen. I will keep my eyes on them though. I'm home everyday and do regular chicken checks lol. Especially since they are free ranging it now. Maybe it helps to have all the male chickens around too?

I'm sorry Kevin!! The geese although they harass the ducks...will swim with them quietly and even sleep with them in the pond during the day. But as soon as those geese see me- it's bossy city to those ducks.

So far the goslings seem to be behaving better around the other birds so hopefully their patience will stick. My two Chinese Ganders are getting the boot pretty soon though because of there aggression. I've heard good things about the American Geese so I might try them next year.

 

[steelchair]

I have a rouen drake that puts his head down and charges anything with it's back turned. Whether it is a chicken, dog, or person. Just look at him and he waddles away. I also have a pekin drake that will chase the chickens away a couple of feet. But 98% of the time all is peaceful.