A question for folks with
A GOOSE:
@jchny2000 @SallyinIndiana and others!
In the most recent Acres Magazine, there is an article with Joel Salatin asking him to update what he's learned since updating the Pastured Poultry Profits book.
I was pretty excited to read what I'm quoting here regarding guard animals for chickens. Wondering what y'all think who have had geese.
Now remember. He says
1 GOOSE per flock of chickens. Not several geese. Here's the quote...please comment:
Quote: Pastured Poultry Since 1991 By Joel Salatin Acres Magazine March 2015
YES, and totally true, but you can have more than one and they still do their job quite well.. I currently have 13, or 14 geese.This is one of many reasons why I always have kept them, my parents and grandparents. Last year, my entire years hatch went to a Vet in Mooreland, IN. He raises several hundred meat birds for market annually. He uses electric netting, pasture rotation, and his only issue was hawks, other flying predators. Not since he bought all my young adults! He has called me several times since, thanking me for teaching him about my geese. I raise started goslings that are from the beginning imprinted with other species and people. Ferocious against any flying predator. Bear in mind, geese are no match for a dog, or coyote. Goslings are also in danger until they are mature enough to handle a hawk.
I have raised one batch of Polish chicks and had 3 of 7 not make it past the first couple weeks. I did everything the same as with many other batches of chicks as far as water, feed,electrolytes etc. I don't know why b/c that's the only time I've tried but they just seem more fragile than lots of other breeds. Mine were by themselves, not mixed with others and all the same age. I never figured out exactly what/why happened but they are notoriously (from reading) harder to raise
They are harder to brood. I loved the breed, like silkies, but they are not a reality for our farm setting. I do keep the games, but they are my "pet breed" the rest are dual purpose here. My modern games actually live in a parrot sized cage indoors, my OEGB are outside but confined full time now after the hawk attacks a few weeks ago.
She is healing nicely! She is a doll, and just gorgeous!
I have seen this wound type from 3 things, a roo got his head stuck on the goat fence, and had scraped his neck raw trying to get loose. I had a hen with injuries from repeated mating, she seemed to be a "favorite" so I had to remove her from a flock. More recently another hen, and no clue what happened but she is a mean aggressive hen, so am guessing a fight with a turkey. 2 of the 3 had a large area of exposed flesh, and all 3 healed well.
Often, just one spot being opened will lead to a bad wound, usually from repeated scratching with dirty claws. Even the cleanest coop, they can start an infection. More infection, more scratching.. and it gets bad quickly.
You will just adore her! They are such an amazing pet, and so very tiny in stature. Wait til you see the egg she lays too 
