Predators of Great Britain?

[J&Kfeatheredfowl]

i live in England, and I consider myself lucky when it comes to predators, no coyotes, wolves, mountain lions, venomous snakes, bears etc. For me it’s just foxes,hawks, weasels and rats (as well as maybe snakes) so my question is,

Can any of these pose a danger to fully grown geese? My main concern is a fox, but I know how to defend against them, but surely a goose can handle rats and weasels, and will they protect my ducks?

Thanks in advance

 

[itsasmallfarm]

a weasel (not sure the kind you have) the least weasel should not be a problem as there so little, how ever the long and short tail should have no problem killing a goose IMO was told by family that a weasel can kill a dog or cat, they jump on the back and rip the throat out i was told.

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

i live in England, and I consider myself lucky when it comes to predators, no coyotes, wolves, mountain lions, venomous snakes, bears etc. For me it’s just foxes,hawks, weasels and rats (as well as maybe snakes) so my question is,

Can any of these pose a danger to fully grown geese? My main concern is a fox, but I know how to defend against them, but surely a goose can handle rats and weasels, and will they protect my ducks?

Thanks in advance

There are state threads where we can talk with others from our state on such topics, but I'm not sure if you have something similar.
@Pork Pie Ken might be able to guide you. Not sure when he'll be on so be patient.
Hope you're able to get some answers soon.

 

[J&Kfeatheredfowl]

a weasel (not sure the kind you have) the least weasel should not be a problem as there so little, how ever the long and short tail should have no problem killing a goose IMO was told by family that a weasel can kill a dog or cat, they jump on the back and rip the throat out i was told.

Sorry for late reply fell asleep and forgot to log out!?!
Wow, a weasel killing dogs and cats, that’s seems a little too far. I’ve never actually seen a weasel near where I live, but as I live by the woods I’m nervous of the possibility. However I have seems stoats, which are far larger and have the capability of carrying of things 5 times their size, like young hares, adult rabbits, MAYBE EVEN A SMALL HEN!!

 

[Pork Pie]

There are state threads where we can talk with others from our state on such topics, but I'm not sure if you have something similar.
@Pork Pie Ken might be able to guide you. Not sure when he'll be on so be patient.
Hope you're able to get some answers soon.

This is the best place to ask:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/655508/uk-member-please-say-hi/890

 

[Pork Pie]

I see @rebrascora is online - maybe she can help

 

[rebrascora]

As someone who is not overly hot on predator proofing I may or may not be the best person to comment. Fox is without doubt your main concern. Over the years I have lost hens and ducks to foxes and domestic dogs but nothing else. I also live right next to woodland and so far, no problems with stoats or weasels (I have occasionally seen them in the garden but since I got cats, I don't see them) and I'm pretty certain you can discount snakes altogether unless the geese are free ranging in deep undergrowth and even then, they would have to be exceptionally unfortunate. Rats will take baby birds, like chicks, ducklings and no doubt goslings at night when their mother is not fully alert and I once had them attack a sick pullet that I had in a cardboard box in the feed room, so a rat proof coop is important, but I very much doubt they would tackle a healthy adult. Stoat and weasel attacks on poultry are pretty rare here in the UK and I cannot say whether they would have a go at adult ducks and geese, it always depends on how desperate a creature is for food. It is not something I worry about with my chickens but if you are one of those people who has to cover all the possibilities, then I would say that it is not impossible but extremely unlikely that a stoat would take on a goose. Whether the geese would protect the ducks, I cannot say, but the ruckus they make when they are disturbed may help scare them off.

Good luck with your flock

Regards

Barbara

 

[itsasmallfarm]

Sorry for late reply fell asleep and forgot to log out!?!
Wow, a weasel killing dogs and cats, that’s seems a little too far. I’ve never actually seen a weasel near where I live, but as I live by the woods I’m nervous of the possibility. However I have seems stoats, which are far larger and have the capability of carrying of things 5 times their size, like young hares, adult rabbits, MAYBE EVEN A SMALL HEN!!

that's what i was told when i was young not sure how true it is though. about weasels killing dogs or cats, (definitely the cousins of the weasels can, such as martin,fisher, wolverine etc.)

 

[chickengeorgeto]

It depends on the goose or the gander. I have seen peregrine falcons attack Canadian geese. But peregrine falcons as far as I know only take prey that is airborne. A fox is an opportunistic predator. Give him or her the opportunity and a fox will definitely take a goose.

As for a goose protecting ducks I fully suspect that any predators will close in on a duck before it takes on a goose. I don't call that protecting ducks.