Chinese geese have the temperament of loyal watchdogs. There are many ways to protect chickens from predators, but one of the best ways is with an animal guard. If birds are out in a large run or field during the day, a small patch of feathers is normally all you will find. I am thinking of getting a few geese with them. I have waited until they are about 4 weeks old to put them outside in my movable paddocks. Do you want to raise healthy geese for your backyard farm? I want them to do more foraging than they would be able to in tractors. Geese can certainly fend off weasels, skunks and other rodents, though, which will often prey on chickens or try sneaking eggs from your birds’ nests. Brynn Parry saw some alpacas at a local farm and decided to investigate the potential of these wonderful animals. They won’t do it if you are around. Geese will form their own family units or gaggles and will focus less on the backyard flock you’ve hired them to protect. The mere smell of alpacas is enough to keep foxes away. Do not allow food scraps to linger. What a goose cannot defend your flock from they will still make plenty of noise about, allowing the alert farmer to investigate and protect their livestock. If you have a serious problem with hawks and owls, consider covering the chicken … As chicken owners it is our responsibility to protect our chickens from harm. And then one day it happens: You discover the bloody remains of your favorite pullet – feathers scattered all over the place. We do have a lot of foxes in our area but the netting seems to be working so far in keeping them away from my chickens. How to Use a Goose for Home Security By Lynn Anders. Share on ... Get the right breed of goose to protect your home. This spring I will get layers. We should do all we can to ensure this doesn’t happen to our flocks. I heard the long/narrow paddock trick from other pastured growers to keep hawks from being able to get them as easily. Foxes are smart when it comes to entering and killing chickens. They were bred to protect large numbers of grazers in wide open spaces not chickens in a coup or on a few acres. Friendly and good at foraging, the goose will add a … Foxes, weasels, rats, snakes all eat and kill chickens. Raccoon, fox, hawks, bears, bobcats and the neighborhood dog, are all capable of wiping out a flock. I am going to get chickens again this year. African geese can also make good guard geese. There is no worse feeling than coming out to the coop in the morning to find a horrible murder scene with feathers, blood and carcasses strewn about the coop. Taking steps to protect chickens from predators should be on every chicken owner’s mind.What are the important steps to take to guard the chickens? Now it's time to delve into the world of protecting chickens from predators. An open field without cover is a deterrent to predators. Was it a fox that killed my chickens? Here's how to prevent it. No doubt about it, your backyard chickens depend on you for health, housing and safety. One could also purchase a mated pair, however, it’s worth noting that the male goose will make guarding his female mate and her nest his top priority; the protection of the backyard flock of chickens or ducks is secondary. Both are confident, large and imposing to strangers. Foxes upset chickens, that’s a fact. I frequently have foxes and coyotes in the yard so to free range them I will need some sort of guard. Foxes will scope out your chicken coop for a while before they actually go in for the kill. The simple fact is that foxes do not like alpacas and alpacas do not like foxes. Clean up any food scraps that the chickens do not eat before nightfall. But, big cats are not the only predator attacking chickens. Foxes are careful, fastidious hunters and there isn’t normally much evidence of a visit. Don’t forget about the neighborhood cats and dogs, who kill and eat chickens. The Dog’s effect on your flock. Last time I had chickens I had cornish cross, and kept them in tractors. The goose is a good choice for a poultry addition to a homestead. Mow the grass or field near or around the coop. Protect Your Chickens From Foxes Cunning foxes will keep a low profile and stalk your flock until they're ready for a swift, clean attack. Best Guard Dog Breeds For Your Chickens & Poultry are ... aware and awake during the night which can help you a lot if you have a problem with more adaptable predators such as foxes and hyenas.