Do goats protect chickens?

[candychick]

i always hear people talking about how their chickens keep getting killed by hawks and raccoons...ive had mine for almost 9 months and have had no problems...i have two goats that are pretty big so do they have anything to do with the well being of my chickens or is it just the location?

 

[shmccarthy]

The hawks could be wary of the goats because they're bigger. It seems the only time I have hawks try and get my girls is when my cat and dog and everyone else is inside too.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Hawks don't care about goats.

 

[cafarmgirl]

There have been a few discussions about this and while I will say that no, goats will not intentionally protect chickens, or anything else, I think their presence may deter some attackers. My chickens free range in about 1/2 an acre of pasture and I've always had two or three goats out there. I've never, ever had a hawk attack and my pasture is wide open. The hawks hunt our hay fields constantly but they don't come into the pasture. I don't know if they are turned off by the presence of a larger animal or if it's just coincidence but I've heard the same from other goat/chicken owners. I do know that the smaller critters like possums, skunks who roam around in the night do not seem to want to go in the barn where the goats are, my chicken coops are in there too. Their tracks and droppings can be found around the barn in the mornings but never in the pen where the goats are. This has been my experience the last 10 years that I've had goats and is just my 2 cents, for what it's worth. Other's may have a different experience.

 

[candychick]

alright thanks guys

 

[JessMorris]

I have 2 boy fainting goats and am just getting chickens. I am sincerely hoping they help protect the girls and are okay with 2 roos. We'll see. I'll keep you posted and let you know how it turns out.

 

[candychick]

I think they do for the most part we have had our chickens for 3+ years and we have only had one attack, which was actually last week...The chicken is doing ok though...

 

[Primo]

All my chicken losses have been from Coyotes while the goats were with them. I think it is the opposite. The chickens will protect the goats, by providing an easier meal.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

The goat kids that originally attracted the coyotes are sheltered by the goats, forcing the coyotes to settle on the other white meat, your poultry.

 

[candychick]

my goats are full grown 7 or 8 years old...no hawk or owl would even try touching our goats...they are far too big...