wanted: guard duck

[nilatti]

We recently had a disaster on my little farmlet where something (we think it was a racoon) got in and nabbed six little pullets. Our ducks (year-old Muscovies) were in a pen nearby. They climbed the wall and escaped. So now we have nobody (though we're hoping the ducks are just hiding out and will return).

Both the husband and I are very depressed about this. We kept the ducks mostly because they eat nasty bugs (especially termites) and because we loved their cute personalities. However, there's one problem with Muscovies--they are quackless. I'm sure they were making their panicked face, but we couldn't hear anything, since we were both asleep.

Even if the Muscovies come back, we have decided we need a guard duck to send up a loud alarm. We live out in the boonies, so the duck can be as loud as possible. Our neighbors are too far away to care. Can anyone recommend a VERY LOUD duck breed that also forages well?

Don't worry--we're not solely planning to rely on the duck! We're also thinking about investing in electric poultry fencing.

 

[lovesduckies]

i think a goose would do a better job than a duck!

 

[Countrywife]

where are you? I have a duck

 

[canada-goose]

Quote:
I agree.

 

[PineBurrowPeeps]

Get yourself a pair of geese. We just processed our last pair but they were the best gaurd birds you could ask for!

 

[lovesduckies]

Quote:
I agree.

why thank you kooshie..

geese are loud and they are protective!

 

[canada-goose]

Quote:
I agree.

why thank you kooshie..

geese are loud and they are protective!

And a bit scary!

 

[FenDruadin]

I adore our goose! We had two, but one died defending his flock of ducks. The neighbor's pit bulls got out one day while we were away from the house and attacked our flock--the goose stood his ground while the rest of the flock escaped to the lake. We do NOT rely solely on the geese for protection--they stay in a predator-proof enclosure at night--but during the day they free range and only have problems occasionally with domestic dogs.

Our remaining goose is awesome. I'm not sure when he ever eats or sleeps, because he is always standing guard over the flock of ducks while they play, eat, dabble, nap, etc. We call him Hercules because he never takes a break. And he is LOUD.

He is also somewhat aggressive with very small children (I have a two-year-old), and sometimes even with adults and older children. So we are careful about that, but he's worth it for the protection he offers my laying/breeding flock.

Good luck!

 

[Amiga]

My mom had guinea fowl for the alarm system, and geese for the guards.

 

[lovesduckies]

Quote:
why thank you kooshie..

geese are loud and they are protective!

And a bit scary!

but still adorable!!! my mom is terrifed, i am not allowed to have any.

good luck!!