I need an opinion from others that are experienced with geese and ducks. Dexter is a 10-ish year old African gander that was given to me. His previous owner said his flock, to include his mate, we're all killed in one night by a predator. I think it happened within the past couple months. Dexter is incredibly lonely, as he is my first and only goose. My ducks are terrified of him and won't go near him. For a little bit longer, my ducks and goose are free-range. They have the run of the farm all day. The ducks go into their pen on their own at dusk and stay til dawn. Dex stays in the front yard all day and night.
Soon, I'm going to pen them all up. Due to the in-laws' need for new chicken coop space, they are taking over my duck pen and barn for the winter. This leaves me with one partitioned barn and two pens. I also have 3 lambs, a calf and a jack that will be wintering in the pens and barn.
The pens and barn are big enough for everyone, I'm more worried about disagreements between the animals. Also, tomorrow, I an going to go get an Embden? goose for Dex. It breaks my heart to listen to him softly calling for another goose.
I have several concerns:
#1. Three mallards, 2 Pekins, 1 African goose, 1 Embden goose, 3 weaned lambs,1 weaned calf and 1 jack in close quarters for the winter. Am I asking for fights....or (haha) an "Animal Farm" type situation? In my defense, I am neither a drunk nor irresponsible, just inexperienced with everything except dogs and cats.
#2. Food - my ducks and lambs are greedy little boogers. They've cleared out the cat food dish more than once, and I'm sure they will help themselves to any grain I feed, whether it's meat for them or not. Will all-stock or calf pellets hurt my ducks? Will game bird feed hurt the lambs, calf or jack?
#3. As far as the 4-leggeds go, my boyfriend and his parents have plenty of experience and are willing to help and give advice. It's the ducks and geese everyone is less experienced with.
On the plus side, predators are something I will not have to worry about at all. Our 10-year old Great Pyrenees, Rocky, patrols all night, and the 6 month old Great Pyr, Mack, is "in training," though at the moment, he seems content to make sure our bedroom window is secure. All. Night. Long.
Any helpful hints, any advice, will be greatly appreciated!
Soon, I'm going to pen them all up. Due to the in-laws' need for new chicken coop space, they are taking over my duck pen and barn for the winter. This leaves me with one partitioned barn and two pens. I also have 3 lambs, a calf and a jack that will be wintering in the pens and barn.
The pens and barn are big enough for everyone, I'm more worried about disagreements between the animals. Also, tomorrow, I an going to go get an Embden? goose for Dex. It breaks my heart to listen to him softly calling for another goose.
I have several concerns:
#1. Three mallards, 2 Pekins, 1 African goose, 1 Embden goose, 3 weaned lambs,1 weaned calf and 1 jack in close quarters for the winter. Am I asking for fights....or (haha) an "Animal Farm" type situation? In my defense, I am neither a drunk nor irresponsible, just inexperienced with everything except dogs and cats.
#2. Food - my ducks and lambs are greedy little boogers. They've cleared out the cat food dish more than once, and I'm sure they will help themselves to any grain I feed, whether it's meat for them or not. Will all-stock or calf pellets hurt my ducks? Will game bird feed hurt the lambs, calf or jack?
#3. As far as the 4-leggeds go, my boyfriend and his parents have plenty of experience and are willing to help and give advice. It's the ducks and geese everyone is less experienced with.
On the plus side, predators are something I will not have to worry about at all. Our 10-year old Great Pyrenees, Rocky, patrols all night, and the 6 month old Great Pyr, Mack, is "in training," though at the moment, he seems content to make sure our bedroom window is secure. All. Night. Long.
Any helpful hints, any advice, will be greatly appreciated!