Keeping Chickens Free Range

[Peeps61]

Cute!

 

[SmColorInDaPan]

This what I found happening in the yard today

With more hiding under the wings

Hatching on Cinco De Mayo, that makes them Party Animals

Funny how things work out

gander007

WONDERFUL NEWS!! Congrats!

 

[Big Head Boy]

Enjoying their afternoon out and about.

 

[gander007]

Enjoying their afternoon out and about.

Looks like fun for all

 

[vpatt]

I am considering a couple of geese to help alert for predators. Any experience or advice?

I went to the big swap in our state yesterday. I got three little chicks....a Marans, a Polish and a silkie.

 

[duluthralphie]

I am considering a couple of geese to help alert for predators. Any experience or advice?

I went to the big swap in our state yesterday. I got three little chicks....a Marans, a Polish and a silkie.

Yes, My advice is forget the geese and get some guineas.....

 

[vpatt]

Yes, My advice is forget the geese and get some guineas.....

Oh no! The only stipulation my husband made was "No guineas!" He says they are too loud. Now i figured geese are loud too, but since he didnt mention them.......lol.

But i have been told that guineas tend to leave home if not penned. My goal is to free range again. But i will build another pen so during these bad times i can keep them in the pen.

Ralphie, why do you recommend guineas over geese?

 

[duluthralphie]

Geese are messier, more offensive smelling, scare people and I just do not like waterfowl.

I free range everything except during breeding season. I have around 20 guineas running free all the time. They are fun to watch and their antics are nuts. I lose a few to road kill, but as a whole they are great. They are not cuddly, but they do hang around for treats and food. They let you know when someone comes in the drive. They are excellent at predator control. I have one old hen I keep locked up because she leads the rest to the road, then stands back and watches the other get hit by cars and she laughs at those lying on the road dying...She is a sick old crony, so she is doing life in prison for her crimes.

 

[vpatt]

Geese are messier, more offensive smelling, scare people and I just do not like waterfowl.

I free range everything except during breeding season.  I have around 20 guineas running free all the time. They are fun to watch and their antics are nuts. I lose a few to  road kill, but as a whole they are great.   They are not cuddly, but they do hang around for treats and food. They let you know when someone comes in the drive.  They are excellent at predator control.     I have one old hen I keep locked up because she leads the rest to the road, then stands back and watches the other get hit by cars and she laughs at those lying on the road dying...She is a sick old crony, so she is doing life in prison for her crimes.

Lol, she sounds evil. I would like to try some guineas, but i guess that wont happen if hubby is not in favor. What about a turkey?

I was a little iffy on the waterfowl myself. I thought they were messy and there is a little pond just on the other side of our fence. I dont know how the neighbors would feel about visiting geese. It is in their cow field not their yard, but you never know how people will react. So do you think guineas would help keep possums and foxes away?

 

[gander007]

I am considering a couple of geese to help alert for predators. Any experience or advice?

I went to the big swap in our state yesterday. I got three little chicks....a Marans, a Polish and a silkie.

I have both guinea and geese and geese are very noisy all night except when something is out there hunting them and their silence will tell you something is out there other then human for them you will get noise but guinea will give up their lives to warn you something is wrong and if you have three or more the guinea will try to attack the predator from all sides it is funny to watch but you will need to be ready with a shotgun or you will loose your guinea but they do make a lot of noise but eat much less then geese and I have never been nipped by the guinea and my geese several times over the years .




If you have the space guinea can be fun but noisy

Geese need water and space but neighbors need to be tolerant

Guinea need to have a place to roost up high

gander007