How to keep my ducks safe at night in a free-range coop?

[3bird]

I’ll speak about guard geese and maybe it’s just mine but when a predator comes around my geese do not make any noise and are just as terrified as the chickens and ducks. We had a hawk swoop in and kill one of our Bantam roosters a few weeks ago and not one sound was made and when I came outside to check everyone I knew something wasn’t right everyone was hiding out. Now if we drive up or anyone else our geese sound off. About all they are is bluff when it comes to predators.

Good to know! We can't keep geese where we live, but someone else had mentioned it to me. Apparently he had greater success. Sorry about your rooster :-(

 

[bluemerle]

I do agree guard animals are a good option! But they do require feed & upkeep & vet care, just like any animal. Donkeys and llamas are good at protecting their property & friends, but they require hay and feet trimming and their vet bills tend to cost more. Livestock guardian dogs are very effective - but you have to feed them, and vet them, and you have to raise them to be good guard dogs. Livestock guards tend to be more responsibility than the prey animals you're trying to protect.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I figure my geese are wimps And there is strength in numbers. But still someone may have to give up their lives. Thank you.

 

[BuckeyeFoodie]

Sorry I abandoned this for a hot minute, I ended up with a nice case of "walking" pneumonia that required some medication that makes me less than lucid while typing, so I did us all a favor and stayed away from the internet until I was better!

A few clarifications: I am at the farm daily to take care of not just the assorted poultry, but also my show horses, so it's not like I'm leaving the various critters to fend for themselves for days at a time. I'm not a newbie at keeping poultry, I was just checking to see if anyone had ideas to give my ducks extra protection at night that still allows me to let them free-range during the day. Thank you to all who replied.