I'd like to gain some of your wisdom regarding Flock Guardians, as so many on this site share similar predator dilemmas.
How do you deal with predators? I currently have predator proof pens for my chickens. I'd like to free range more often. I ended up with 2 pairs of Guineas right when migratory hawk season kicked in here, so they're in predator proof pen & coop, too, but I want to let them out during the days when it's safer here, usually April unless Spring comes early. Right now, they only free range when I am outside with them & I have to chase hawks off every hour. There are many different types of hawks, & constant foxes as well as neighbor's cats here...also roaming groundhogs, skunks & opossums, occasionally raccoons, but they usually pass through.
Some neighbors feed the foxes. They actually lay down by me when I'm at my firepit, they're so tame. They've never gone after my flock or the few huge wild rabbits here...weird right? The biggest hassle are hawks & neighbor's cats.
My husband wants to fence the 2 acre property, & electric fence about 1 acre of it for the flock, but we all know if a critter wants in bad enough, they'll just go over or under fencing. Guineas will make a loud racket but they're jyst as vulnerable & i already know they'll stray over to neighbor's trees & yards (yeah, cant wait to hear complaints abit them but we've got deer & deer ticks, Hobo, Recluse & Black Widow spiders & major lone star & brown ticks, so Guineas got a purpose. Hubby said we can get a Maine Coon cat male to chase off the other cats, but I don't know about that. I also have Homing Pigeons & flying white ones does help pay the bills. If Maine Coon developed a taste for pigeon lunch, that would Not work. He says they're a large cat, probably won't go for pigeons...yeah, I don't know, all cats share similar behaviors & hunting, stalking methods.
So...some friends have goats, donkeys & turkeys. I love visiting & caring for them when they go on vacation. I've actually seen their turkeys chase off hawks & cats. Their goats & donkeys have chased off cats & foxes.
So what I'm trying to do is determine what would be the best flock guardian here, for Chickens, Guineas and Pigeons. Obviously, dogs have been suggested. I'm open to a pair of dogs, but prefer a livestock guardian that lives in the barn, closer to who is being guarded.
Could a pair of turkeys work?
Bourbons, Bronze or Royal Palm? I'm open to suggestions on breed. Just definitely Not ones bred for slaughter that get too heavy too fast, my pair would be guardians but also pets...kinda like my chickens are, they lay eggs, then when older, no longer laying, just join the Guineas on insect patrol, my flock will live ripe old ages.
How about goats or a donkey? I could get 2 goats, but only 1 donkey here, a smaller type.
Another friend suggested a pair of Sebastopol geese, she raises them, but I don't have a pond here for ducks & geese. I know she uses kiddie pools. I'd rather have a deep pond for geese, though, doesn't seem fair not to...but after seeing this video, I'm considering 2 Geese.
Please share any opinions, experiences, stories & suggestions, I value your insight greatly!
Thank you, Liz
How do you deal with predators? I currently have predator proof pens for my chickens. I'd like to free range more often. I ended up with 2 pairs of Guineas right when migratory hawk season kicked in here, so they're in predator proof pen & coop, too, but I want to let them out during the days when it's safer here, usually April unless Spring comes early. Right now, they only free range when I am outside with them & I have to chase hawks off every hour. There are many different types of hawks, & constant foxes as well as neighbor's cats here...also roaming groundhogs, skunks & opossums, occasionally raccoons, but they usually pass through.
Some neighbors feed the foxes. They actually lay down by me when I'm at my firepit, they're so tame. They've never gone after my flock or the few huge wild rabbits here...weird right? The biggest hassle are hawks & neighbor's cats.
My husband wants to fence the 2 acre property, & electric fence about 1 acre of it for the flock, but we all know if a critter wants in bad enough, they'll just go over or under fencing. Guineas will make a loud racket but they're jyst as vulnerable & i already know they'll stray over to neighbor's trees & yards (yeah, cant wait to hear complaints abit them but we've got deer & deer ticks, Hobo, Recluse & Black Widow spiders & major lone star & brown ticks, so Guineas got a purpose. Hubby said we can get a Maine Coon cat male to chase off the other cats, but I don't know about that. I also have Homing Pigeons & flying white ones does help pay the bills. If Maine Coon developed a taste for pigeon lunch, that would Not work. He says they're a large cat, probably won't go for pigeons...yeah, I don't know, all cats share similar behaviors & hunting, stalking methods.
So...some friends have goats, donkeys & turkeys. I love visiting & caring for them when they go on vacation. I've actually seen their turkeys chase off hawks & cats. Their goats & donkeys have chased off cats & foxes.
So what I'm trying to do is determine what would be the best flock guardian here, for Chickens, Guineas and Pigeons. Obviously, dogs have been suggested. I'm open to a pair of dogs, but prefer a livestock guardian that lives in the barn, closer to who is being guarded.
Could a pair of turkeys work?
Bourbons, Bronze or Royal Palm? I'm open to suggestions on breed. Just definitely Not ones bred for slaughter that get too heavy too fast, my pair would be guardians but also pets...kinda like my chickens are, they lay eggs, then when older, no longer laying, just join the Guineas on insect patrol, my flock will live ripe old ages.
How about goats or a donkey? I could get 2 goats, but only 1 donkey here, a smaller type.
Another friend suggested a pair of Sebastopol geese, she raises them, but I don't have a pond here for ducks & geese. I know she uses kiddie pools. I'd rather have a deep pond for geese, though, doesn't seem fair not to...but after seeing this video, I'm considering 2 Geese.
Please share any opinions, experiences, stories & suggestions, I value your insight greatly!
Thank you, Liz
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