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ducks and geese

What do geese need at night? Do they like chickens? Do they need a pond?

Posts: 69

Location: Burnet County TX zone 8a

posted 3 years ago

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Howdy, we have about 30 chicken, layers, and that number is going to rise. Our Heelers tend to patrol the front and sides of the house. Out back are the chickens, and we've lost a few to hawks.

I've been thinking that a couple of geese would make good watchdogs to hang out in the back. We could also have a coyote come in over the 5' fence, neighbors have seen them do that.

What do geese require? Some body of water? A coop? Will they coexist with chickens? I hear that they can be allowed in a zone 1 garden area, because they eat bugs but don't scratch at the ground. Is that correct?

Bolar clay loam ph 7.4 lightened with mulch, sand and sulfur. Caliche limestone 4-12" under that, so we build up deeper with retaining walls.
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Reno Husker

Posts: 69

Location: Burnet County TX zone 8a

posted 3 years ago

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Help, my wife wants geese!

Stacy Witscher

pollinator

Posts: 1518

Location: Southern Oregon

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posted 3 years ago

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While I don't have geese yet, in my research, it depends on the breed. Some geese do well in mixed breed flocks and others do not. As for the pond, I suspect it's like ducks, a kiddie pool is sufficient. Hopefully others with some experience will contribute.

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Thomas Dean

pollinator

Posts: 240

Location: Michigan, USA

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posted 3 years ago

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I find that they don't care too much for chickens, but will tolerate them.
THey LOVE a pond, but don't need it, just enough water to get their face submerged. Ours have a pond when we get heavy rains, otherwise it's just a bucket of water to splash in.
I would not trust them in my garden. They eat greens and trample things with their big, flat feet.

I have African and Toulouse geese.

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Thomas Dean

pollinator

Posts: 240

Location: Michigan, USA

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posted 3 years ago

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Oh, and they don't sleep inside at night. Mine sleep out on the ground, even in a foot of snow. They like the comfort of a dusk-to-dawn lamp though. Big night light to sleep around.

Education: "the ardent search for truth and its unselfish transmission to youth and to all those learning to think rigorously, so as to act rightly and to serve humanity better." - John Paul II

April Virginia

Posts: 30

posted 3 years ago

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Reno Husker, geese will not protect anything from a coyote. At best, they sound an alarm when possible predators approach. Certain species may scare off small predators, like skunks, raccoons or possums. They work best as a flock. Ten snake heads coming at you is pretty scary, but a coyote or fox can just ban one and run. Foxes, coyotes and raccoons will also work in packs, which is no match for a small flock. Best protection is a livestock guardian dog and secure night housing.
They require water deep enough to dunk their heads to clean their nares, not a pond, but they do love them. Certain breeds need ponds to breed, as they mate in water. They do well with chickens and tend to rule the roost. They will eat your veggies. Only certain types of crops can be weeded by geese and only certain types of geese will do this for you.

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