Guard Geese?

[Abraeri]

Two days ago one of our ducks was killed by a fox in the middle of the day while Hurricane Irma was passing through. We only found out about an hour later, through a video recording from a camera aimed toward where the ducks forage. We had never seen or expected a fox, especially in broad daylight. The ducks usually free-range all day, but ever since we have only let them out of their run when someone is there to watch. We want to be able to let our ducks free-range again and are looking for a way to protect them.

We heard that geese make great protectors/guards. Does this work? Can anyone give me details? For example, would the goose have to have been raised with the ducks for this to work?

Thank you,
abraeri

 

[K.Riggs]

For me yes they do work, they might deter some predators but more so they will let you know something is amiss.

 

[Abraeri]

For me yes they do work, they might deter some predators but more so they will let you know something is amiss.

Did you raise them with the ducks? Or were they a later addition? Just knowing something was wrong would've been enough to save our duck.

Edit: Also what breed were your geese?

 

[K.Riggs]

I added them to my flock when I had a hen taken by a hawk.
I got them at 18 months old, a goose and a gander. Roman Tufted cross Embden gander. Embden cross Toulouse goose. I suggest getting a pair, my gander is far better at raising the alarm. I haven't had another hen taken since. I also find mine only make noise if there is something amiss otherwise I don't hear them unless It's a greeting when I go in their paddock.
I am very pleased with them. They also get along fine with my ducks.

 

[K.Riggs]

 

[Lamaremybabies]

Two days ago one of our ducks was killed by a fox in the middle of the day while Hurricane Irma was passing through. We only found out about an hour , through a video recording from a camera aimed toward where the ducks forage. We had never seen or expected a fox, especially in broad daylight. The ducks usually free-range all day, but ever since we have only let them out of their run when someone is there to watch. We want to be able to let our ducks free-range again and are looking for a way to protect them.

We heard that geese make great protectors/guards. Does this work? Can anyone give me details? For example, would the goose have to have been raised with the ducks for this to work?

Thank you,
abraeri

I currently have one pilgrim gander for the exact reason you are looking into getting geese. From what I've learned so far, geese are good deterants predator wise and alarms. But when it comes down to it I think anything larger than a cat or maybe raccoon and your goose will be useless. Like I said though, they make great alarms and because in nature geese aren't big pray for predators because they will attack the attacker. Plus they are noisy and have teeth I'd recommend having two.

I got my gander when he was two months old and the second he and my four ducks saw each other it was like magic... they quite literally ran to each other and sat down together. That being said my gander is now mature and I've come to realize he needs a goose friend. So I'd recommend getting a goose and a gander or just two geese.

I believe pretty much any breed of goose will work but the larger the goose the more intimidating. Chinese are a tall thin breed, pilgrim are a medium breed weighing about 15-18lbs and growing to about 18 inches tall, Toulouse are a larger breed weighing over 20lbs I believe and about 2 feet tall

 

[Abraeri]

That is cute Seems like exactly what I'm looking for.

Do you house the ducks with the goose? Or do they have a separate coop? Also would I have to worry about the geese attacking me? Will they fly away, or do you clip their wings? I just looked online and someone is selling a pair of Toulouse Geese about an hour away.

Also how is caring for them different from ducks? Anything major I should be aware of.

Thank you,
abraeri

 

[Pyxis]

Domestic geese cannot fly, so you don't have to clip their wings or worry about them flying off. Ganders can get aggressive during the breeding season, so be aware of that. My geese have never acted aggressive towards me. You probably don't have to worry about your geese attacking you, aside from maybe an aggressive gander during the breeding season.

Their care isn't too different from ducks, but they are primarily grass eaters, meaning they need to have access to grazing. They will eat mostly grass when it's available, as well as munch on whatever feed you provide when they want to.

Also, it's been mentioned, but geese won't really 'guard' or 'protect' other birds, in the sense that they're not going to try to engage or fight off a predator. Their size may deter a smaller predator from trying an attack, but all they'll really do is alert loudly at the sight of a predator. So if you're around you'll know something is wrong and can go outside and investigate, but if you're not around and a predator decides to attack, it's probably still going to get a bird.

 

[K.Riggs]

My geese CAN fly, well enough to take out a power line which happened to the people I got them from. Don't listen when people who say that domestic geese cannot fly it depends! My geese have clipped wings.

My geese are not aggressive, my gander is hilarious when his goose laying in season, trying to grump at me when I collect eggs but he is never aggressive.

 

[Pyxis]

My geese CAN fly

Interesting! What breed do you have? I had two that could fly, but they were both half Canada goose, which is why. Even my Romans, which are the smallest domestic breed and the one breed I would suspect would be most capable of flying of all the domestic breeds can't fly. They can get about four feet off the ground, but that's it.