Hawks and Geese.

[Brunty_Farms]

I seen the other thread reguarding geese as watchdogs... I didn't want to take that thread by asking my questions so I made a new one.

I currently use my pyrenees to gaurd most of the flock but this year with over 1500 layers expected I'm not sure she can do the job.

My situation is a stationary coop with four paddocks of grass. 500 birds per coop, they are allowed in one paddock at a time. I'm not worried about four legged critters, but however I am worried about the hawks. Will geese keep the hawks away? I would like to keep some if they will protect the flock but if they don't I won't waste my time. But if I get a persistant hawk it may take a chicken a day until I change it's eating habbits somehow. It's an issue that I'm not looking foward to but March 10th I get the first round of started pullets here. The flock will start out at 250 and increase over time. How many geese will I need to protect 250 pastured layers? I've had geese before and know they are very aggressive so this might work?

I live on government property so I can shoot, kill, or trap any of the predators around here. I can go to my neighbors and trap but not on my property. It sucks but the national park service just won't allow it.

 

[MissPrissy]

Depending on their size the geese might deter hawks but I wouldn't count on it. They are just as much endangered as chickens are. They do make a lot of noise when something sets them off and they will be more likely to alert you with their noise that something is going on but they won't be able to survive attacks by prey driven predators.

 

[Brunty_Farms]

I'm talking the big chinese mayber... I've raise them before and hawks were never a problem for them. I'm not really wanting them to stand and fight the hawks but it seems they are more aware of their surroundings than the chickens. The chickens seem to just put their head down and go in the mornings.

If a good warning call is yelled, I'm sure the chickens will catch on. I can't use roosters as they crow too early, plus I have no use for them. At least the geese will make good Christmas dinners for some families.

 

[MissPrissy]

I have giant dewlap toulouse and embdens. I have never seen a chinese bigger than they are - perhaps a longer neck but not larger in mass. Like I said they may deter the hawks with their size in the yard but if a hawk wants a chicken it will get it. You'd be better off getting yourself 2 small goat wethers.

 

[Brunty_Farms]

The goats will keep the hawks away? Is it just their prescence that keeps them away?

 

[MissPrissy]

A big goat in the yard is a often a hawk deterent. They won't physically run off a predator but often hawks mistake them for big dogs.