We have 10 chicken hens and 2 roosters. I love them. They are sweet, and easy to raise, and entertaining and the eggs are amazing. So I thought I might be more animals. I can't be too crazy or I would get a peacock, some guinea hens, some turkeys, geese, ducks and who knows what all else. I am saying: Ducks or Geese. (I heard that turkeys might bring disease to the chickens?) I want eggs and I want pets. I do not plan to eat my pets. I want easy care and not too noisy. I do not want to put up a net above my yard since it is 2 acres! I do not want my birds to fly south or to jump into the river, which runs past our house. I want them to be OK with the chickens, though I can make them a different house, if it is better. The animals will free range a lot of the time together. I will have some big chicken yards, and am hoping for ducks or geese to be in there with them. Ideally the non chicken would be a little bit of a protector or deterrent to attackers. I heard that geese can do that. Is it true I lack much money to buy feed or other stuff for them or to buy them. I am hoping for some small cost or free! I need good advice for how to choose and what to do to start. Toby
Geese are loud, at times. Ducks can be loud too unless you get Muscovies or drakes. Water fowl are messy they love to play in their water and will splash it all over so you don't want to feed and water them inside their house, unless you have young ducklings or Goslings then they will need food and water 24/7. And they are messy too. What i would suggest is going on line and researching the breeds of ducks and goslings then making a decision on what you want, Geese don't eat alot in the summer if allowed to free range where ther is alot of vegatation, ducks like to hunt for bugs worms etc so they will dig and root for stuff and make muddy areas if there is water available. As for the river both ducks and geese will be drawn to the river especially if it's within walking distance. We have a river down below our home about 300 yards but there is woods between it and us so they don't venture down there. And because i have Muscovy I clip one of their wings to make sure they don't fly down there. Ducks geese and chickens can get along fine together but for sleeping should have separate houses. since chickens roost and ducks sleep on the floor. also drakes will try to mate with chicken hens if there are not enough female ducks available so getting females would probably be you best bet and they will lay eggs without a drake they just won't be fertile. I have ducks, chickens and 1 goose and they all do fine together. So it's bascially up to you to decide which you prefer. I'll se if i can find some links that may help you see different breeds. http://feathersite.com/Poultry/Ducks/BRKDucks.html
Thank you for the good advice. I am thinking of going to visit some chicken raisers who have ducks and so on here, and of asking lots of people for input. I am gong to get two little dwarf goats. That will be so fun. My friends are making a barn for me. Toby
How nice to have friends put up a barn for you, and to be getting some goats also, Getting alot of info will help you decide what breed is best and if it's ducks or geese you may decide to get both. I love my ducks they are alot of fun and alot of work but such a joy and funny, My gander is a riot also, but since i just have him it's harder for me to say that geese would make better pets when i have a house duck who thinks he's a dog. LOL. I enjoy all the work involved in taking care of them. And I try to do my best to make sure their lives are the best. It's a wonderful experience all around as I'm sure you'll find out. All the best to you.
I have chickens, ducks and geese. They all get along well with each other except for one issue: the geese do not like conflict, and they perceive roosters mounting hens who squawk about it as conflict. So they break up the alliances with feather pulling. Personally, I like that behavior, as the squawking means the hen or pullet wasn't a willing participant! I have Cayuga ducks, which are one of the quietest breeds of ducks. My Toulouse pair can be VERY noisy at times, but they are docile and friendly. And very, very quirky, funny, and gorgeous. The coop is a transmorgrified garage, 17 X 20 feet, so there is plenty of floor space for the waterfowl to sleep at night inside it with the chickens. Everybody eats Nutrena "All Flock" pellets,which are quite small. I keep crushed oyster shell or smashed up chicken egg shells in a separate bowl for the layers.
Not to be a downer, but you state you are hoping for a low cost pair or free. You also say you lack much money to buy feed or other stuff for them. This tells me you should NOT get geese or ducks. If you can not financially afford them and to provide for them, then there is no reason to try and get a pair and add the stress of their needs and care to your life. Feed is expensive, it is highly unlikely it will come down anytime soon in cost. They need quality care, not just what ever you can toss to them. Wait until you are more financially stable and rebook at adding ducks or geese at that time.
Geese lay very few eggs compared to ducks or chickens, so if you want eggs, they are not a good choice for you. Also, good quality geese are not cheap to buy. Ducks can be loud. They eat a lot for their size, so they can be costly to feed in the months when you have no forage. Ducks and geese are both going to get into that river and go exploring. They might not come back.
I have to agree with CelticOaksFarm. If money is tight and you are planning on getting ducks AND goats, you might be setting the stage for some problems. I have ducks and goats. I spend money on both species for food AND vet bills, supplies, etc.. And it has not been cheap. What if a goat AND a duck or two get hurt or sick at the same time? And trust me, it can happen! Goats need fencing, hay, food, etc., ducks need a secure place to live, food, a pool, and probably other things I am not thinking of right now. So, in fairness to the animals, give it some time and enjoy your chickens for the time being. When money is less of an issue, then that might be the time to add to your "family".