Bald Eagles

[Goosebaby]

Eagles prey on geese, so I'd err on the side of caution and keep them as secure as possible, like in a covered run.

I've tried deterring hawks with shiny, reflective pieces of material and hanging DVDs, and they pretty much just laughed at me. And preyed on my chickens.

That pretty much seals it for me about not wanting to move north. If the reflective thingies don’t actually work then I don’t see anything else making a difference besides netting.

Now and then there’s an bald eagle that flies past in my area, they’re slowly making a comeback and rightfully so, but right now I’m good with only having hawks fly be, they don’t bother with my geese.

 

[GranderTheGander]

Not too long ago, I read a newspaper article where the writer said he saw an eagle with a dead goose repeatedly hitting the goose against rocks. He learned that was a way an eagle attempts to "tenderize" the goose body. We've had eagles on the river for years now, and I have never personally seen one grab a duck or goose, or even attempt to do so, even though we have lots of both all year round. Not that it means it doesn't happen. The ducks and geese react quickly to large birds flying over, particularly the ducks. If you can't afford costly "remodeling", you might just wish for the best right now, and then do something major if the worst occurs.

 

[ColtHandorf]

Do you think netting would be enough?

You might look at the netting used for baseball batting cages. That stuff is stout.

 

[AGeese]

A pair of eagles live near me. I'll see them once and then won't for a while. My neighbor had a big white Emden Goose and two Pekin Ducks. One day a Bald Eagle landed not far behind his goose. He assumed the worst, set off towards them and the eagle flew off.

The goose has since passed on, but he still has the pair of ducks and now 3 hens and a rooster, the ducks have been free ranging on 20+ acres for a year with out their guardian (and a year before the goose arrived) without incident. Now they have a laid back Rooster to keep watch, and so far so good knock on wood.

My pullets are not yet turned out to the field, but will be this spring so I have 4 Embdens on order which I'm going to split with my neighbor. I know two geese can't over power 2 eagles, but I figure one might be discouraged by two and at the very least they'll ring the alarm. Ideally the eagles should have plenty of fish to consume from the river.

 

[GranderTheGander]

A pair of eagles live near me. I'll see them once and then won't for a while. My neighbor had a big white Emden Goose and two Pekin Ducks. One day a Bald Eagle landed not far behind his goose. He assumed the worst, set off towards them and the eagle flew off.

The goose has since passed on, but he still has the pair of ducks and now 3 hens and a rooster, the ducks have been free ranging on 20+ acres for a year with out their guardian (and a year before the goose arrived) without incident. Now they have a laid back Rooster to keep watch, and so far so good knock on wood.

My pullets are not yet turned out to the field, but will be this spring so I have 4 Embdens on order which I'm going to split with my neighbor. I know two geese can't over power 2 eagles, but I figure one might be discouraged by two and at the very least they'll ring the alarm. Ideally the eagles should have plenty of fish to consume from the river.

That's what I'm thinking about why I've never seen an eagle try to grab a duck or goose, even though there are plenty of both around, as well as gulls--the river is filled with fish and that's their first food choice.

 

[AGeese]

That's what I'm thinking about why I've never seen an eagle try to grab a duck or goose, even though there are plenty of both around, as well as gulls--the river is filled with fish and that's their first food choice.

It's easy to panic watching youtube videos on this sort of thing, and I won't say concern isn't justified. I just take some stock that predators do have a kind of self awareness to choose an easy meal over one that might challenge them.

 

[GranderTheGander]

It's easy to panic watching youtube videos on this sort of thing, and I won't say concern isn't justified. I just take some stock that predators do have a kind of self awareness to choose an easy meal over one that might challenge them.

I didn't even know eagles could grab geese until last year, when I watched some of the videos. Unbelievable! But everything in life has plusses and minuses. Any setup that totally protects birds from air predators will greatly limit their freedom and activity. Not everyone is going to make the same choices about the matter. Personally, I would go with more freedom and hope for the best.

P.S. Hope your goslings do well when you get them. Embdens are wonderful geese!

 

[raingarden]

I think I might like bald eagles more than poultry. Besides, poultry are easier to replace.

 

[GranderTheGander]

I think I might like bald eagles more than poultry. Besides, poultry are easier to replace.

True, but I would prefer the bald eagles stick with a fish diet. Of course, though, sometimes birds and animals are targeted by predators because there is something wrong with them, such as they are carrying a disease. Predators have an important purpose.

 

[Iain Utah]

I live in a major bald eagle area. This year their numbers have tripled (which has been really weird to see). However, I have never lost a bird to an eagle. Unfortunately, I have lost baby geese/ducks to hawks, and an owl wiped out half my chicken flock last winter.