How much protection do geese really offer?

[jettgirl24]

We're moving from the city to a new house that is out in the country and has a lot of predators compared to where we currently live. I'm just curious how much protection geese actually provide for a flock of chickens when free ranging? I realize nothing will ever be 100% protection... I guess I'm jut trying to decide if the cost benefit (in time and $) works out

My chickens won't be free ranging all day but I would like to let them out on our 5 acres of pasture while I'm home without feeling like I have to keep a constant watch over them. I do have two roos as well, one of whom is BIG and very protective of his ladies. The other one is still a little guy so only time will tell for that one

Also, when penned can geese live with ducks? I've been thinking of hatching a few ducks too since we'll have so much room.

 

[woodmort]

Think of an air raid siren then think about what would happen to the siren once it was hit by a bomb. That's the kind of protection geese will give you, they be a warning system until they are victims.

 

[EweSheep]

I am terrified of geese....enuff said!

 

[GarlicEater]

My geese are big fat wusses with a creamy wuss center. That being said, they really put on a good show of being terrifying. They chased a friend of ours, and I didn't get to see it

I had a coyote come through and he split the flock in half, but didn't hurt any. Their honks/yelling is interesting. They finish each other's sentences. The effect is of one BIG creature making noise. But I don't think intelligent mammals like coyotes and coons are fooled. It probably worked great in the dinosaur days.

But when a predator comes through, they're going to look out for themselves, not me, not chickens, etc. A dog considers you the pack leader and will tell you a predator's around, defend you, etc. Geese, meh, I'm just some weird thing that provides food. They kick up a fuss sometimes and I go out and check it out, and once they had a rat pinpointed and I went out and shot it with the pellet gun, but they're not the same kind of creature as a good dog.

 

[angelbabyamy]

We have 4 geese that run around on about 3 acres. Our chickens free range. We are in a rural area in Oregon and I have only lost some silkies to a Red Tail Hawk. The property is also adjacent to a river, so there are lots of animals around. I think that the geese do offer some protection. My biggest worry is skunks and I get so worried when we are not home at dusk, but I do think the geese help.