Should I get a goose?

[LavenderDaFlerf]

Here's my reasoning, over the past two weeks a large red tailed hawk has been attacking the covered run and freaking out the hens 3-6 times per day. Due to this the egg production has been down because of the stress they've had. As well as us not being able to range them outside the smaller covered like we used to because the rooster do nothing to protect the hens. Because of not being able to range them on plants and bugs the feed cost is up and if we let them out the hawk will kill them. I've been thinking about a watchdog/guardian for them because there have also been foxes as well, I came upon geese. I'm thinking about a tufted roman but I have never had geese and can't find anywhere where I can get one gosling. How do you care for geese and any ideas where I can get just one?

 

[LavenderDaFlerf]

Or should I get two?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Just one goose will be an incredibly lonely goose, as they don't speak the same 'language' as other species. Hence why it's usually difficult to get just one gosling (most of what I've read claim the goose needs to be brought up in the flock to be a decent guardian)

However two geese or more will end up just making their own subgroup and not mingle with the chickens as much

Also most geese aren't going to protect anything. They're going to try and save themselves if the need arises

 

[Brooke_R]

Or should I get two?

I think you should get two at least. It may be sad if it doesn’t have another goose friend

 

[Isadora]

Would you be planning then to have the goose / geese in with the chickens? A lot of people report that they do fine mingling with the chickens in a common area and having separate housing at night time, but they bully chickens terribly if they try to keep them all together.

 

[LavenderDaFlerf]

Just one goose will be an incredibly lonely goose, as they don't speak the same 'language' as other species. Hence why it's usually difficult to get just one gosling (most of what I've read claim the goose needs to be brought up in the flock to be a decent guardian)

However two geese or more will end up just making their own subgroup and not mingle with the chickens as much

Also most geese aren't going to protect anything. They're going to try and save themselves if the need arises

I'll get two then. I'm more thinking of a waning to me and the chickens if a predator comes because my rosters a doing a sucky job

Would you be planning then to have the goose / geese in with the chickens? A lot of people report that they do fine mingling with the chickens in a common area and having separate housing at night time, but they bully chickens terribly if they try to keep them all together.

They would have a separate house next to the chicken one.

 

[wamtazlady]

Just be aware that geese are not going to keep the hawk away. However, geese will tell you when the hawk is near. My geese beat up on the ducks as well as the chickens.

 

[LavenderDaFlerf]

Just be aware that geese are not going to keep the hawk away. However, geese will tell you when the hawk is near. My geese beat up on the ducks as well as the chickens.

I'm looking for a warning because than I can go out and make sure no of the chickens get hurt. Any recommendations for where to buy from?

 

[NC_Quail]

I’ve heard that emus are also good livestock guardians, and possibly big enough to intimidate hawks. If raised right they seem to be very friendly (I don‘t have emus, just going off of other user’s experiences). The cons of emus though is that they need a lot of space and fencing, and they are expensive to buy.

 

[LavenderDaFlerf]

I’ve heard that emus are also good livestock guardians, and possibly big enough to intimidate hawks. If raised right they seem to be very friendly (I don‘t have emus, just going off of other user’s experiences). The cons of emus though is that they need a lot of space and fencing, and they are expensive to buy.

That wouldn't work for me sadly, I would love them but not enough room.