Will dogs kill my geese?

[redhen]

I know..dont worry about it..
Accidents DO happen.

 

[goosedragon]

Quote:
Because of the way geese tend to fight they can do well against ONE opponet. But they almost always lose when attacked by two or more. They all seem to pay attention to one and a second can attack from the side or back and that goose is lunch. Pack attacks like dogs and coyote always manage to kill at least one and can easily wipe out a whole flock one bird at a time. Been there 3 times!

 

[vicki2x2]

I had a dog that was great with other dogs & cats, but hated birds for some reason. One day she slipped out when my littlest one opened the door and it took me a few minutes to realize she had got out. It was no more than five minutes. I ran out to find utter chaos. She had got in with my juveniles who were 5 months, so nearly full grown, but had no idea how to protect themselves. She had already killed 2 and seriously injured 2 more. I thought for sure one would die and I probably should have put it down but it was my favorite so I nursed it back to health. She had jumped on their back and grabbed them by the neck and the neck feathers, skin and most of the muscle was gone. Did I mention the dog was only 20 pounds? A french bulldog, who was 11 years old and you wouldn't even think could open her mouth that wide or at that age move that fast! Most loving dog ever, except when it came to birds.

 

[Olive Hill]

Not all will, but they can. Even the small ones. You won't know until it either happens, or there's an instance where it could and it doesn't. If you don't have to, I wouldn't chance it.

I have a dog who is not small animal/bird safe. I thought for SURE she'd kill my geese, she is a machine when it comes to ridding the place of raccoons, etc so I figured a goose would be easy pie for her so we keep them separate. Well one morning early, a couple weeks ago, it was dark when I let her out so didn't realize one of the geese had jumped the nighttime pen and was wandering around. I was in the kitchen making lunches for the kids when I heard her usual "I'm going to kill you growl/bark" and then a goose squak/honk. I ran to the door and she was already there waiting, tail between her legs. I let her in figuring she just knew she was in trouble because she does KNOW the geese are "mine" she just doesn't have great impulse control so she'll kill and then realize afterwards "Oh shoot! Mom's gonna be MAD!" I grabbed a flashlight and went out. There wasn't a scratch on the goose. I don't know what happened out there, but she didn't even injure, let alone kill him. I was impressed, but I still won't purposely take any chances in the future. She might learn that wing span isn't as scary as it looks.

 

[bel]

My dog is bullied by geese (she did find that if she puts her back to their pen she can get a free goose bite "massage") even though she was not agressive towards them, and would protect them I still never let them freerange when she was out, she was penned when they were out of their yard. Even playing she could easily hurt or kill them unintentionally. Since your dogs seem to already have a strong prey instinct against fowl I would be even more worried. It would be better to get a dog kennel for the dog when the geese are out, or crate him, if hes just locked in the house and the type of dog to barge out soon as he hears the door open. The other thing ould be to extend the goose pen or set up a fenced area for them so they are seperated at all times. You can sometimes find used kennels or fencing cheap on craigslist and it would save a lot of heartbreak.

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

It depends on the dog and it's tenacity. I never leave it to chance or to an accident. When I let my birds out I put the dogs in a kennel that I lock and hold the key to. It's the only way I know that will guarantee their safety. I have little kids and my DH doesn't think about who's out and who's not. I think that several dogs could gang up on a goose and that would be it's demise.


edited geese to goose...

 

[shelleyd2008]

My only american blue goose was killed this past spring by my dad's stupid APBT. Dogs can and will kill geese, even little dogs if they can get hold of them in the right place. Keep your dogs or your geese penned, that's the only way to make sure they are safe.

 

[shelleyd2008]

Quote:
The ducks that the dog killed were my bathroom and the door SOME HOW got open. :'( The chickens he killed I had them free ranging and I told my family NOT to let them out and someone forgot

I dont like dogs, so if I got my way the dogs would be gone but they aint mine.

So dont go thinking that I'm not taking care of my animals.

I don't think that's what s/he was implying, just stating a fact. The fact is that the dog HAS killed so your best bet is to always ASSUME that it WILL kill again! Sure, dogs can be rehabilitated, but if left to their own devices they'll do whatever they want.

You can always make a hoop house for the geese and just move it around every day.

 

[sillysister74]

I had one killed last Tuesday by a dog who never bothered the big geese for the 8 months I had them. I went to go feed them and found her missing. The geese sometimes get into the electric fence that separate the geese from the dogs. I am not sure what happened but all that was left was feathers and a wing.

 

[Dr. Todd]

BRAVO SOURLAND! Couldn't say it better.

Dr. Todd