Geese as watchdogs?

[trainman]

I generally raise a flock of about 40-50 chickens but lately the varmints (fox, raccoons & neighbor's dogs) have decimated a couple flocks. I was told if I get a few geese they would keep the varmints away or actually chase them. I don't know if that's true or not as I have no experience with them. I'm not adverse to adding geese to the farm. Any advice?

 

[cavemanrich]

Don't expect geese to protect your flock. The predators are not stupid. They will approach, and pick off the easiest chicken they can get to.
My suggestion,,,, make sure your chickens are secured in a coop for the night. That will take care of the night time predators.
For daytime, I would secure their outdoor area with electric fencing. I realize that we are not able to predator proof everything 100%, but this would keep most of them away from your chickens. I also suggest that you bait the electric fence when you first install it. This gives a GREAT LEARNING LESSON to predators.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[Magriet]

I can add my two cents here! We had two that were supposed to be watch dogs, instead an intruder came in, killed one and left the other so badly injured we had to take him to the vet and are still very worried he may not make it. So, not a very good watch dog, but a good bird to have around. It is very sad when one of your birds die

 

[Callender Girl]

My American Buff geese are good at letting me know if motorcycles are driving past on the road, which always results in loud, loud honking, but lousy at being watchdogs. In fact, when a feral cat was in the yard this week, all the chickens were on full alert, and the geese said ... nothing.

 

[Callender Girl]

@Magriet, I hope your surviving goose pulls through and I am very sorry for your loss.

 

[Magriet]

Thank you

 

[Goosebaby]

Geese can’t defend themselves from most predators, their chief defense is making them think they can. They are great at disusuading most hawks because of their large size, but terrestrial predators are another story.
The best kind of flock defender is a dog.

 

[Magriet]

Our one Goose seems to be out of the woods, but he is still not feeling well. Can he be mourning for his friend that died? He eats and poops, a lot! but not diarrhea I am still a little worried.

 

[cavemanrich]

Our one Goose seems to be out of the woods, but he is still not feeling well. Can he be mourning for his friend that died? He eats and poops, a lot! but not diarrhea I am still a little worried.

We cant know for sure if animals mourn losses same way humans do. If they could speak,,, they would tell us.
Considering there were severe injuries, I think your goose is recovering well, but not at 100% normal yet.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and

 

[Magriet]

At least our Goose is doing well. At the moment he is knocking on the glass door for attention