Free Ranging Ducks

[mosse71]

i had the ducks first then got the geese. yes they were raised together but i kept them separated by 1/4in hardware cloth until the geese were the same size as the ducks. they were able to see each other and lay next to each other for a month so when i removed the divider they didn't know the difference. they only honk when you talk to them or something/one comes in the yard . they're great watchdogs!

 

[3bird]

i had the ducks first then got the geese. yes they were raised together but i kept them separated by 1/4in hardware cloth until the geese were the same size as the ducks. they were able to see each other and lay next to each other for a month so when i removed the divider they didn't know the difference. they only honk when you talk to them or something/one comes in the yard . they're great watchdogs!

Perfect. Do they stay in the same coop now?

 

[Miss Lydia]

If you live close enough to a road which it sounds like you need fencing. I don't live close to any roads but we have good secure fencing because if we didn't mine would be gone before the week was up if not before. Even with geese they really have no way of protecting anything even themselves from a fox, bob cat or coyote or bear just to name a few. Yes they are loud but anything with teeth will kill them with out batting an eye. One member lost a goose to a mink and they are small preds.

 

[mosse71]

my father had Chinese geese and I've seen them attack and run off a coyote! he used to lose ducks and chickens but when he added the Chinese geese to his flock he stopped losing any. he's had them in his flock for 20yrs. now. the chinese are the only breed I've seen do this. not saying one day they won't meet their match.

 

[3bird]

Thanks so much!

 

[Miss Lydia]

If you have a flock of geese you may not have any losses but eventually you will lose some geese. Most of us only have 2 or more. I have seen my geese up against the gate just like the ducks when the Red tail came and killed one of my bantam chickens so there is probably strength in numbers but then again you have to have the space and patience to have many geese.

 

[luvmyduckies]

I usually feed at night back at their enclosure so they see me as a sorce of food and follow me willing to be put up at night. When I add new ducks I will usually put a little food out in the morning when I let them out in the area I want them to stay.
I call to them as I come to them with food and they start to associate the call and bucket with food.
My ducks have all been adults so I do not know if babies would behave differently