WHAT YA GOT SWAP Chat Thread

[reesepoultry]

I just took this pic today of the barred.

 

[daze333]

I wonder if geese will be nice for guard dogs for the ducks? Will eagles go near full grown geese?

They don't really protect the ducks or chickens, but everyone of my geese will start honking very loudly when eagles are flying over. We go out and clap and yell and sometimes shoot bottle rockets off. I have never had a duck or goose attacked by eagles, they only take my chickens. I think they are easier prey.

 

[daze333]

Anyone need hatchery ducks? $3.15 a piece. https://secuservices.com/ideal/newideal/categories2.aspx?Category= Advertised Specials

 

[daze333]

I just took this pic today of the barred.

I have a hen that looks just like that!!

 

[reesepoultry]

 

[Bettacreek]

I think my chickens are mostly safe. It's the ducks who wander by themselves and don't have the protection of the entire flock. I need to raise at least a dozen more pekins this year now, to replace hens and put drakes in the freezer. Maybe with big geese with the ducks and more ducks, the waterfowl flock will be big enough to keep an eye out for that blasted eagle. For now, the ducks are staying with the land flock for protection.

 

[SilkieSensation]

Yeah, they are too precious to take chances with! You would need a fenced area (you could use movable stuff like the electric ones) and a coop/barn to lock them up at night.

All of my birds are currently penned & get locked down at night. I have just over an acre, mostly hills & trees, but could fence the perimeter to keep geese in I think...eventually

I'm still trying to build coops & pens for everyone as it is. Right now the pekins share with the toulouse, calls have a breeder cage, young scovies are in with the runners & the breeding age scovies are in a cage in the basement waiting for their pen to be completed this week. Once the scovy pen is done the youngsters can join them as well.

 

[daze333]

I also find that Feb is the worst month for eagles for us. I think they are trying to feed their babies. We have our breeding pens all covered in netting, but the free ranging chickens, ducks and geese have to watch out. We run out every time there is honking going on during Feb, funny because that is breeding season for geese too! We get our exercise! We haven't lost any this year yet. Knock on wood! Yes I think more birds and also more buildings/coops/obstacles/trees help too. My one pasture is more open and that is the one they always get birds form. The other one is very full of birds and buildings and they have never gotten ones on that side.
Blasted eagles!

 

[daze333]

Cool thing, my scovies and runners run together free range during the day and they never inter-breed. Very cool!

 

[SusanRenee]

Whoop! Just got 8 perfect SFH eggs from bHep! Thanks!!!