Geese for my ducks?

[Kevin565]

If you want a noise system africans and chinese are good breeds to consider. Mine are always watchful and honk the moment they see something suspicious.

 

[zooweemama]

This is us. Eagles. We see them A LOT flying around. We have yet to have them snatch any of our ducks but I will not rule it or not worry about it. It is a concern. I think my biggest predator concern is eagles. But we do not want to build them their own yard and that's it. We have wanted them to free range from the beginning (cooped at night though). We know that free ranging runs a risk. I am hoping that adding 2-4 geese might help my ducks take cover? I guess it sounds like a crap shoot. You won't know for sure until you try. All my internet research is yielding 2 pretty neck and neck results: their ducks listen to the geese and take cover and other flocks ignore the goose. LOL

 

[zooweemama]

If you want a noise system africans and chinese are good breeds to consider. Mine are always watchful and honk the moment they see something suspicious.

The Africans are so pretty! And I hadn't even looked at the Chinese before but I love their carriage too! TY! Noisy when suspicious is exactly what I am looking for.

 

[Kevin565]

*My results are not typical*

I used to have quite a hawk problem with the ducks. Never had one taken but had a couple close calls though. After Geese were added to pictures I haven't seen Hawks anywhere near my birds in years.

This is us. Eagles. We see them A LOT flying around. We have yet to have them snatch any of our ducks but I will not rule it or not worry about it. It is a concern. I think my biggest predator concern is eagles. But we do not want to build them their own yard and that's it. We have wanted them to free range from the beginning (cooped at night though). We know that free ranging runs a risk. I am hoping that adding 2-4 geese might help my ducks take cover? I guess it sounds like a crap shoot. You won't know for sure until you try. All my internet research is yielding 2 pretty neck and neck results: their ducks listen to the geese and take cover and other flocks ignore the goose. LOL

The Africans are so pretty! And I hadn't even looked at the Chinese before but I love their carriage too! TY! Noisy when suspicious is exactly what I am looking for.

My Chinese were a bit louder than Africans but I do prefer the body type of Africans. I have white chinese currently but there quite aggressive. I had Pomeranians before but they were more protective but not nearly as noisy as the Chinese and Africans.

 

[wildpeas]

I have two embdens around 8-10 weeks old. They dont give a honk about the eagles we have had hovering around lately. So far they have only given the alarm about my husband and my neighbors. My ducks and geese also dont like each other and will probably never be a group. This morning the crows chased a really huge bald eagle out of the tree near the duck yard. We had no idea it was there. It gave us a startle.

 

[EmAbTo48]

This is us. Eagles. We see them A LOT flying around. We have yet to have them snatch any of our ducks but I will not rule it or not worry about it. It is a concern. I think my biggest predator concern is eagles. But we do not want to build them their own yard and that's it. We have wanted them to free range from the beginning (cooped at night though). We know that free ranging runs a risk. I am hoping that adding 2-4 geese might help my ducks take cover? I guess it sounds like a crap shoot. You won't know for sure until you try. All my internet research is yielding 2 pretty neck and neck results: their ducks listen to the geese and take cover and other flocks ignore the goose. LOL

We have free-ranged our ducks for 5 years now, this is the first year we have a pair of relentless Eagles watching our property like hawks. We have lost 4 of the 9 ducks. So sadly I gave up and now have moved on to them being kenneled up in a large dog metal run with bird netting on top. It totally sucks. But I have allowed them out when I am around. Just loved seeing them just free ranging on the property its just picturesque (sp?) LOL!

 

[zooweemama]

We have free-ranged our ducks for 5 years now, this is the first year we have a pair of relentless Eagles watching our property like hawks. We have lost 4 of the 9 ducks. So sadly I gave up and now have moved on to them being kenneled up in a large dog metal run with bird netting on top. It totally sucks. But I have allowed them out when I am around. Just loved seeing them just free ranging on the property its just picturesque (sp?) LOL!

I'm so sorry. Seeing them around the yard is very peaceful I admit. More so because I never in a trillion years suspected I would have ducks, let alone adore them enough to even consider geese.

 

[Lollipop]

I don't see why you can't free range your geese and not lock them up at night. They handle any kind of weather just fine. Mine spend the night on the pond if they feel threatened. I did lose 4 in the first few years I had them in GA, but the 2 ganders I have left are quite vigilant. By the way, ganders seem to be much more social than females.

Funny story for ya. My original Chinese gander hated my wifes housecoat. he would attack the housecoat all the time. She started his schooling by grabbing his neck and holding onto his beak while he struggled to reverse his situation, if you know what I mean. Well, he bit Sandee on the breast 2 days before her mamagram. Big bruise. Her doctor was a stern little Jewish guy that was a no nonsense kinda guy. When she saw the raised eyebrows when he saw thw big bruise, he actually busted up laughing at the story of how a goose bit her breast. Certainly a story none of his patience had ever told. Now, the ganders education was over in just a few episodes(sp?). She would hold him as stated and kiss him on his topknot. Humiliation about 4 days in a row was all it took. He became a pussycat. he would try to get in your lap when we sat in the yard. We had lots of company then and always have. He was the entertainment and old folks would talk about him for years after. Lots more stories about Snowball, but I'll save them for another time. Don't be afraid of ganders, they run a good bluff, but they are great pets.........Pop

 

[Billy-jean]

I'm in the same boat as you,,I am looking into getting a goose for my flock as well. In hopes that it might scare away raccoons or other small predators. I know some geese chase away humans.LOL, so I don't see how a goose wouldn't scare away a small predator...thinking,thinking,thinking. One thing,they're poop is 3 times bigger and messier than a ducks!!!and they would eat about that much more too..... hmmmm.......undecided.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'm in the same boat as you,,I am looking into getting a goose for my flock as well. In hopes that it might scare away raccoons or other small predators. I know some geese chase away humans.LOL, so I don't see how a goose wouldn't scare away a small predator...thinking,thinking,thinking. One thing,they're poop is 3 times bigger and messier than a ducks!!!and they would eat about that much more too..... hmmmm.......undecided.

I really don't think a goose could stand up to a raccoon or any other pred. except maybe from Hawks. My goose is big but I would never leave him thinking that he could defend the flock from preds. A good Dog would be better.