Grazing Geese?

[livininbrazil]

I do have predator tape that I hung up around where the ducks hang out. I works if its sunny or windy but not if its cloudy. A hawk killed one of my ducks under a piece of it on a cloudy day.

I have heard of those chicken tractors. They sound like a good idea. Is it possible to make one or would I have to buy one? Where could I buy one? I have never seen one at my local Agway.

We have hawks here, and they´ll fight a chicken to get the chicks, but they tend not to take the adults. In my place I never see the hawks land, as I have geese. Geese are far too big for the hawks (the biggest we get are Carcará/Caracara and the White-tailed hawk). And the goslings are quite safe if they stay with the parents. Carcará are big enough, so whatever you get there to take a duck must be huge!
I use 1" weldmesh with broom handles pushed through the holes, then I wack them into the ground to make a temporary run. Then I put black plant shading over the top when they´re really small, and mine are fine like that. But maybe our hawks here aren´t as terrible as you have there?

 

[Finny]

I have seen very small ones for sale in my area, only suitable for young chicks or other baby fowl. I think regular ones are too big and cumbersome to keep at a store. You may be able to buy some online, I think, but they are probably on the expensive side. It is definitely possible to build one, though I've never done it. Look around online. Try searching "DIY chicken tractor" or maybe "how to build a chicken tractor". It should be heavy enough that the birds can't scoot under it, but light enough that you can move it every day.

Here's a link that might help. It's designed to hold many broiler chickens, so the size won't be right, but it'll give you an idea of materials needed.

http://www.grit.com/departments/how-to-build-a-chicken-tractor-zm0z12ndzgou.aspx?PageId=1

If that link doesn't work (not sure if I did it right,) just search for "GRIT magazine chicken tractor" and click on the article from grit.com.

PS- In answer to the original question about tearing up grass, it depends on the breed. African or Chinese geese (Descended from the "swan goose" species) are more likely to rip up grass from the earth. Other geese (Descended from the greylag goose) don't do that. My geese were purchased as "American" but they have small knobs on the bills and their coloring is slightly off, so I suspect some African blood in there. They do rip up the grass some, but not too bad.

Also, sorry about your duck. If you have crows in your area, throw out some food scraps to them. They chase hawks away, and just their presence alone seems to intimidate them. I give them old fruit and any eggs that the ducks managed to crack. (Just make sure the crows eat it and not raccoons, possums, etc). Also don't do this if you're planning on ducklings or goslings, as I've heard crows will go after them.

Hope all this helped.

Thank you for the link I will look into building it . I am planning on getting sebastopols. Are they a breed that will tear up the yard?

 

[Finny]

We have hawks here, and they´ll fight a chicken to get the chicks, but they tend not to take the adults.  In my place I never see the hawks land, as I have geese.  Geese are far too big for the hawks (the biggest we get are Carcará/Caracara and the White-tailed hawk).  And the goslings are quite safe if they stay with the parents.  Carcará are big enough, so whatever you get there to take a duck must be huge!
I use 1" weldmesh with broom handles pushed through the holes, then I wack them into the ground to make a temporary run.  Then I put black plant shading over the top when they´re really small, and mine are fine like that.  But maybe our hawks here aren´t as terrible as you have there? 

We have red tails here. They are not able to carry off a full grown duck but they still kill them . Do you know if red tails are the same size as the hawks you have? Bigger? Smaller? I would really like for the geese to be able to help keep my ducks safe. I hate having to keep the ducks penned when I am not outside with them.

 

[DurhamDuck]

Quote: I don't think so.

Basically, there are two types of geese: Asian and European. The African and Chinese "Asian" geese tend to rip grass out of the ground, but the European (all other breeds, including Sebastepols) tend to just rip off the top of the grass without uprooting it.

 

[Finny]

I don't think so.

Basically, there are two types of geese: Asian and European. The African and Chinese "Asian" geese tend to rip grass out of the ground, but the European (all other breeds, including Sebastepols) tend to just rip off the top of the grass without uprooting it.

Great! Thanks

 

[Starfire669]

I am a first timer withgeese, I have 8 week old, and 3 week old Chinese goslings, and 4 week old Africa gosling.They don't rip that much out and what they do seems to be unintentional. The Chinese method of grazing involves grabbing the grass, and jerking their head toward their chest to rip it. If the grass is not anchored well enough to resist that, then yes it comes out roots and all. Otherwise they just get the grass and not the roots. I don't know if all geese use the same jerking method to graze, but if they do I would imagine that they get the same results as the Chinese. My 8 week olds, being bigger and stronger, do pull out roots more than the younger. However, my yard grass is really well entrenched, the only place I see them get the occasional root is next to where I till and weed to keep my garden weed free, so I am the one who loosened th roots for them. They have yet to do it in the middle of the yard. I tend to look on that as helpful, making my weeding job easier, but if they do get strong enough to pull grass roots out anywhere in the yard I may change my mind.

Because of their grazing method, fence them out of newly tilled and seeded plots. If you plan on planting new grasses and other edibles for them.

 

[livininbrazil]

We have red tails here. They are not able to carry off a full grown duck but they still kill them

. Do you know if red tails are the same size as the hawks you have? Bigger? Smaller? I would really like for the geese to be able to help keep my ducks safe. I hate having to keep the ducks penned when I am not outside with them.

The hawks and kites etc here are from a foot in length to 2 feet. Generally, just the eagles that would pose a greater problem. This morning vultures were circling over-head due to a dead calf in the neighbour´s field, and all the geese were there with their heads cocked to one side keeping an eye on them. they have such excellent eyesight. I don´t know that the geese would actually 'protect' other birds, it´s just the size of them that seems to keep the hawks at bay. I don´t believe we have red-tailed kites here. We had them in England. beautiful birds, but I can imagine them going after birds like you say. The geese would PROBABLY be fine once they´re grown.

I don't think so.

Basically, there are two types of geese: Asian and European. The African and Chinese "Asian" geese tend to rip grass out of the ground, but the European (all other breeds, including Sebastepols) tend to just rip off the top of the grass without uprooting it.

x2 My neighbour has chinese, and there´s practically no grass left!

 

[Starfire669]

x2   My neighbour has chinese, and there´s practically no grass left!

Ok, now I am worried about my yard. How many geese does he have garzing how much land?

 

[livininbrazil]

Ok, now I am worried about my yard. How many geese does he have garzing how much land?

Well, he has a fair it of land, but that´s for his cows. the geese are kept close to the house, in their yard. They have two chinese that share the place with chickens and ducks (don´t think they all get on, they don´t!) They lose goslings every year because of the lack of necessary care. Important thing is, don´t over-stock. I have my geese on nearly 2 acres and there´s plenty for them.

 

[Starfire669]

Well, he has a fair it of land, but that´s for his cows.  the geese are kept close to the house, in their yard.  They have two chinese that share the place with chickens and ducks (don´t think they all get on, they don´t!)  They lose goslings every year because of the lack of necessary care.  Important thing is, don´t over-stock.  I have my geese on nearly 2 acres and there´s plenty for them. 

Does he supplement their grass with feed? What would be a good stocking density on 1/2 acre with chickens and geese?