Turkeys not Geese for Hawk Watchdogs!

[Cottage Rose]

I've had geese for 7 yrs. now and I have read more than a few times about people saying geese keep hawks away.
Personally I haven't found that to be the case at all.
I have four 8 week old turkey poults and I've noticed how extremely keen eyed and bright they are...just like their wild counterparts.
They see things WAY before the geese do and to be honest I think they are smarter than geese

by the things I've observed them doing. I've notice they will even look at jets at VERY high altitudes that the geese never notice. Today while doing chores they started this VERY loud and VERY excited alarm call I've never heard them do before and the geese and ducks took heed and were all running for cover and sure enough a hawk was circling over head. So if you have a hawk problem a few turkeys might just be what you need.
I might even be tempted to get a few bantam chickens again now that I have these hawk police poults!

 

[flockman]

I have considered turkeys. Hawks have gotten all of my bantams as well. Too funny.

 

[Cottage Rose]

flockman, I have some ballsy little Cooper Hawks that will eat any bantam that isn't caged up so I gave up on raising them even though I'd LOVE to have some OEGB. I might get some next year. We also have Redtail Hawks but the Coopers are much bolder and will swoop in for the kill even with humans present.

 

[SummerChick]

Will a hawk swoop down for a goose? Mine are 2 months old and am building them an area for them to be in when I'm at work. The area is covered and sides are tin with chicken wire that goes up 48 inches but about 3 feet are left open. Does anyone think a hawk or owl could fly in? Thanks.

 

[Cottage Rose]

Sure they will go after geese, especially if they are young ones.
Owls tend to be nocternal but yes they will go in pens.
A friend just posted pics of an owl going in their chicken pen at night.
I've read you can string fishing line over open areas of a pen to discourage hawks from going in.
Also hang pie tins or shiney mylar tape/streamers on the top of the pen to distract them

 

[SummerChick]

Thank you Rose... I will do the fishing line plus hang some shiny stuff. It's funny how we have to think like a predator!

 

[Oregon Blues]

Once geese are full grown, hawks aren't a worry. Not for the geese, but don't expect the geese to protect anything but their own nest.

Eagles can kill geese, but normally aren't interested unless the goose is flying or on water. Great Horned Owls can kill geese, but at least they are only out at night, so they are easy to defend against.

Any land based predator can kill geese. Even tiny little mink. Geese are bluff, not warriors.

Half grown goslings are at risk unless they are with their parents and other flock members to protect them.

My turks are very alert and run towards anything new. I doubt that they would do battle, but they are big and if a predator doesn't know turkeys, something that big running at them will scare them off.