Comments on: On losing my geese

By: Roscommon Acres » Blog Archive » A chick’s scream

Roscommon Acres » Blog Archive » A chick’s scream — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 10:04:34 +0000

[...] losing over half our flock, I’ve become a little more vigilant in watching over them. Hunter is no longer allowed in the [...]

By: Jamie

Jamie — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 20:44:52 +0000

I hope you’ve figured something out. I would cry, too.
.-= Jamie´s last blog ..Adoption Story- Guest Post by Anne-Marie =-.

By: Alison

Alison — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 16:27:04 +0000

we have a border collie mix as a guard dog. she’s great. we use petsafe’s wireless containment system so we don’t have to fence so much. very useful.

By: Dana

Dana — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 06:09:46 +0000

We want to get a Pyrenees when we get our goats, but they need a fenced area to patrol within. We have a lab mix who actually is very good at driving off anything unwelcome but it has been very hot recently and he’s been retreating to the coolness of the house.

After finding out about weasels, I decided that I’m not letting him off that easy. I also staked the beagle out by the tractor. He wouldn’t be too hard to get around, but his barking always attracts Hunter’s attention and I’m hoping this will be sufficient to protect them during the day at least.

I hope so, anyway. I’ve read that full grown geese don’t have much to worry about so I probably only have 6 more weeks or so of fretting before they’re big enough to defend themselves. They made a bit of a fuss about Copper being staked out near them today and it was the first time I’ve heard them hiss!

Then maybe I can rely on them to protect my chickens since they’re sleeping in the same shed!
.-= Dana´s last blog ..On losing my geese =-.

By: Louisa

Louisa — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 05:11:18 +0000

I am so sad for you…..I gasped in horror as I read your post as I have my beautiful babies out in a goose tractor as well, overnighting too.
Have you considered a guard dog like joel salatin (polyface farm) that is trained to protect your flock??
There is a certain breed that is good for this.
Our adult Emdens take on our dogs and will not let the dogs near their babies….so once they are grown it may be ok….
Again, I am so so sorry.
.-= Louisa´s last blog ..Saving our bacon….. =-.

By: Dana

Dana — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 18:42:01 +0000

At least adult geese are pretty good at defending themselves and when raised with chickens can be halfway decent guard animals. They don’t like intruders.

Right now, I have the beagle staked out near their pen and I’m hoping he’ll be enough of a deterrent if this is what is getting our birds.
.-= Dana´s last blog ..On losing my geese =-.

By: Aagaard Farms

Aagaard Farms — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 17:51:48 +0000

I’m so sorry – I know a little bit of what it’s like to lose an animal. Although the chickens are not pets, they are part of our flock and farm, and we take our responsibility to them very seriously. I was angry, sad, guilty and frustrated when we lost some chickens to neighbours’ dogs. But, the energy has to go into caring for the rest, not lamenting the lost! There will be better days!

By: Sheri

Sheri — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 17:40:11 +0000

Oh so sad. Sorry to hear this. Wish I had something helpful to offer. .-= Sheri´s last blog ..Sunday’s Share =-.

By: Dana

Dana — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 14:52:36 +0000

I thought about that, but the ground is uneven and it would be too easy for a weasel to slip underneath. I'm going to try pulling the tractor up closer to where we keep our beagle tied out and hope that helps discourage anything from trying to get in. .-= Dana´s last blog ..On losing my geese =-.

By: T F Stern

T F Stern — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 14:47:48 +0000

Sorry to hear about your losses; wish I knew of a solution. They don't cal them Weasels for no reason, pesky little vermin that they are. .-= T F Stern´s last blog ..Silver Bubba’s Hobo Kittens =-.