Raising geese with chickens

[Dcb]

I grew up long ago on a subsistence farm in Vermont with lots of goats, cows, pigs, a donkey, and of course, lots of chickens, ducks and geese. I had chickens and geese again as an adult, when my kids were young. Now I'm a grandmother, still in Vermont and decided with the COVID pandemic, I could do it again. So I'm raising 22 chickens with 2 pilgrim geese. The geese were intended to guard the chickens. Unfortuately I followed initial advice from the hatchery to keep the geese separate until the chicks had grown up some. The pullets are now 6 weeks and the geese are 8 weeks old. For the last 3 weeks they have been able to see each other over dividers in the coop but not mingle. The coop is 17' X 8' with "upstairs" chicken roosts, accessed by a ramp. The geese have their own boarded off section.The last couple days the pullets have started join the geese outside. It is clear the geese are imprinted on me, that they bite the chickens and that the chickens are afraid of the geese. I'm concerned whether the two will ever live harmoniously has hoped. I would love to hear from others who've been in a similar situation.

 

[Kiki]

Welcome to BYC.
I don't know if they will ever get along, kind of a wait and see game.

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

I would keep the Geese separate. Bigger fowl, different roosting requirements, Geese need a lot of water, chickens need a drier environment, I am not sure they will ever get along, but I wouldn't allow the chickens to be bitten or injured. Good luck with your flock and welcome to ours!

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. Given enough space to keep away from one another, they should work things out. Problems may arise in the spring when the geese get hormonal.

 

[Isaac 0]

Hello, and welcome to BYC!

 

[DobieLover]

Hello again.

 

[drumstick diva]

Geese are so much bigger and tougher than chickens, I would recommend keeping them apart.

 

[drumstick diva]

A Canadian Goose Gander once bit me on the knee, you can't imagine the size of the goose egg that left. I guess they don't need teeth to cause harm.

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Welcome to our FUNomenal Flock!
Pull up a roost & enjoy your time here!

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC. Chat with other BYC members nearby using the links in my signature, below (turn your phone to landscape to see them).

Make yourself at home and enjoy the forums.

Best wishes

Pork Pie