Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

They are decent protectors...generally will scare off/beat off a hawk if it attacks the hens, and will keep smaller things like foxes and raccoons away. Won't with wolves/coyotes/dogs (in general), and probably not against an ambush by a bobcat. And, have no idea about their effectiveness against killing machines like weasel family such as fisher cats - since they are so fierce, doubt it . [but, raccoons & fisher cats/weasles tend to be night or late dusk/ early dawn, so shouldn't be such an issue) Supposedly one is best, when raised with chickens, as it bonds with them and actively will protect them.

In my case, they would definitely help with my most problem day-time hunters/predators....but hubby has said 'absolutely not' - he is afraid of them

I'm hoping to dig a pond this summer and create a large 'ducks only' area...if I get it done....I thinks geese are in the future. If I get goslings, I'll make sure to have him handle them when they arrive. I'm thinking heritage pilgrim....but there area couple other breeds of interest, too. (Selecting only 1 breed is sooooo hard, though )

This is a little info (very basic) about geese as guardians:
https://www.hobbyfarms.com/raise-a-goose-to-guard-your-flock/

Tax:
View attachment 2993212View attachment 2993213

Excellent information! Thanks for finding that.

 

[bgmathteach]

Wow. You really are an enabler.

Here you have me reading up about geese. I need my head examined!

My Ducks & Chickens co-exist very nicely in a coop. Matter of fact, they abandoned the coop I put them in and started 'sleeping' in the chicken coop. I even have 1 duck that goes up the ramp to one of the roosts (that has a 'poop board 4" beneath it to protect the nest boxes) and sleep up there with some of the hens...and 2 of my ducks will 'hop' into the next boxes in that coop that are about 14" off the ground to lay sometimes.....the rest of the time they just lay with the others wedged in the bottom corner under the ramp.

Just need to be cognizant of water issues...deep enough for ducks/geese to submerge nares & eyes....and frequent bedding changes. 'Duck/goose baths' don't have to be elaborate for them to be happy. Mine get fresh 'bath water' daily every day - except if daytime temps will be below 20 degrees... feel it is too dangerous for them at that temp...they just get 'face water' then.

So, a goose could definitely make their home in teh chicken palace with your hens
(Nope, no enabling here!)

 

[Kris5902]

Oh dear - I may end up the same way - I have friends pushing me hard to get goats, donkeys and geese! Not friends who would help me care for them, friends who believe that these creatures would make me happy.

The geese give me great delight, but they are wild, the goats are wonderful, but challenging (get docile breeds, small ones, if you do!) Jimmy can literally open the clasp on his lead with his lips… Arduinna is a head strong little thing, and sometimes the play gets rough, well too rough for the wobbly knees two legged hornless one, at least!

 

[Kris5902]

I learned it as 'shepherd's delight' and 'shepherd's warning'. Maybe the 'sailor' bit is coastal.

Yes a newfoundlander thing

Papa was a Newfie and a sailor, and it was a
Common phrase in the British Royal Navy when he served in WWII.

I learned it as sailor's warning. I think this is very interesting because I have never heard of shepard's warning before.

I think it’s perhaps a British thing, that has persisted in the costal and seafaring areas… I likewise have never heard “Shepard’s” but it could be a localized thing that moved inland and evolved from the nautical one?

 

[micstrachan]

Hanging with Ms Hattie

Betty is making new friends every day. Today she chose Hattie for some one on one time.

@MaryJanet @Ribh @Aussie-Chookmum @LozzyR @micstrachan @ChicoryBlue

Love it!

 

[micstrachan]

What Animal is this?

Does anyone know what animal makes this track? Chicken footprint included for size reference.
View attachment 2993016

Oh, wow, it’s just a little thing. I hope it’s not a weasel? Do you have those there? Totally guessing, so hopefully not!

 

[Kris5902]

I have a friend who has two goats and he is besotted with them. He keeps sending me cute pictures in the spirit of 'how could you not have some of these?'.
The geese idea comes from friends who are worried about predator attacks on the chickens. Apparently geese can scare almost anything. No idea if that is true.

Geese are sturdy. The raccoons here won’t mess with them, or the hawks. Occasionally an eagle will get really brave, and sometimes they even win. The only thing we have here that will take on a grown goose is the mink. And sadly the mink usually succeed. It has to do with how fast and strong they are and the way they attack.

 

[Kris5902]

What Animal is this?

Does anyone know what animal makes this track? Chicken footprint included for size reference.
View attachment 2993016

I hope so. I live in fear of predators here. I have never really identified what killed Maleficent.

I wouldn’t rule out mink or weasel… stoat? I really wouldn’t. Sometimes the prints aren’t complete and not all the toes show
Up perfectly. I wish there were A Clearer print.

 

[Kris5902]

Yep, I have seen Canadian geese fight off birds of prey. And of course it's always hilarious to see them take on full grown men who run screaming like little girls

I can't wait to see Pangoo do that to my brother-in-law who fancies himself a chicken whisperer , afterall he is the one who takes care of my niece's flock not my niece!!

They can break bones, and puncture tire sidewalls by biting them! Lol on big trucks! My FIL and BIL captured one of the two surviving goslings from MY geese back in 2020. The gosling “escaped” my chicken tractor immediately upon my arrival. Daddy Gander was trying to beat his way into the tractor, and nearly attacked me, their favourite person. I carefully returned baby to the parents and had to go find the other lost half up the cliff, and escort it safely home to the pond. My poor geese. I’ve been working years on this relationship.

 

[featherhead007]

I really miss Beetov-Hen tonight! I have so many pictures, mostly of her!