NAVIGATION
After a fox started sneaking around my flock, getting guard geese for my chickens was the best decision I’ve made all year. At first, I thought geese were just good for noise and territorial aggression. However, it’s been my experience that dealing with a bit of noise is totally worth their role as guardians of chickens.
They’re awesome at spotting predators from the sky and scaring off smaller threats like rats or foxes. But before you grab some geese for your flock willy-nilly, I’ll tell you about all their pros, cons, and considerations for your homestead.
Hi, I’m Ryan
When my friend first told me about using geese to protect my chickens, I didn’t believe her. But after giving it a try, I’ve seen firsthand how these birds step up as protectors. Geese aren’t just noisy — they’re seriously on guard!
Do Geese Protect Chickens? The Basics Of Flock Protection
When I first started working out a way to protect my flock, I thought, “How in the world do geese protect chickens?”
I’ve found that geese are naturally protective animals and can add a valuable layer of security to your homestead.
Their instincts to honk loudly at potential threats, along with their size, can deter smaller predators like weasels or even scare off aerial hunters like hawks. In my experience, on any homestead, flock protection is essential, and getting a goose may just be the perfect fit to keep your chickens safer.
How A Guard Goose Can Benefit Your Chicken Flock
My favorite part about having a guard goose for chickens is that they come with some pretty cool advantages. They’re ALWAYS alert. A goose won’t let an unfamiliar movement or noise go unnoticed, and their loud honking serves as a great alarm system.
If a ground predator like a fox or raccoon comes sniffing around, a goose’s size and confidence can be enough to intimidate them. While they won’t take on a big predator directly, their alertness gives your chickens the chance to run for cover, and that’s often all the help they need.
Geese Can Have Many Jobs
I think that one of the best things about keeping geese with chickens is that they’re versatile. Not only do they act as protectors, but they’re also great at natural weed control, fertilizing the land, and even providing eggs or meat, depending on the breed. So, while they’re watching over your chickens, they’re also pulling double (or triple) duty!
Do I Need To Train Geese?
I find that a question that often comes up is, can geese and chickens live together (peacefully)? And more importantly, will geese protect chickens without training? The great news is that geese don’t need any formal training to help keep your chickens safe. It’s instinctual for them to be territorial to their surroundings.
If you’re thinking about getting just one goose, it’s worth considering a few things.
Geese are social animals, and while a single goose can work, having a few geese might make for a happier and more effective flock.
BUT keep in mind, too many geese can gang up on your chickens and harass them. Honestly, for the best outcomes all around, I recommend 2-3 geese for a small flock.
Is Goose Care Different Than Chickens?
When keeping geese with chickens, I’ve noticed that while both are poultry, their care needs are a little different. Geese need access to deeper water to dunk their beaks fully, something chickens don’t require.
While chickens enjoy a grain-based diet, geese can thrive on grass, making them excellent grazers. It’s been my experience that it’s just a matter of making sure both species get what they need to stay happy and healthy.
Lower Maintenance Costs
One of the sneaky benefits of having a guard goose for your chickens is how much they can help lower the overall costs of predator protection. With geese on duty, you might not need as many high-tech solutions like electric fencing or motion detectors, which can save you money in the long run.
One of my favorite homesteading hacks is that geese and their natural instincts are a low-maintenance, sustainable, and budget-friendly way to add an extra layer of protection.
What Breeds Of Geese Work Best For Chicken Protection?
What I’ve found is that geese will definitely protect your chickens, but it depends on the breed. Some geese are naturally more protective than others. It’s important to pick a breed that suits both your space and security needs, and not all breeds will fit the bill.
Best Breeds Of Geese For Protecting Chickens
- Roman geese are small, but vocal, making them excellent warning systems
- Embden geese are a calmer breed while still being very protective of the flock
- White Chinese geese are less physical protectors, but they will alert you of danger
- African geese are huge, making them great for larger homesteads
- Pomeranian geese, originally bred for domestication, are fluffy, colorful, and noisy
During colder months, geese become even more alert as predators grow desperate for food.
Downsides Of Keeping Geese With Chickens
So, can geese and chickens live together without issues, you ask? Well, the truth is that it’s not always smooth sailing. One thing to keep in mind is that geese can be territorial. If your space is cramped, you might find geese being aggressive toward chickens, especially during mating season.
I’ve learned that if you raise one, or a few, geese with chickens, it will see them as their flock, imprinting on them, and will protect them fiercely. However, if you keep a bunch of geese together, they won’t bond as closely with your chickens or care for their wellbeing, but they will be more intimidating to a predator.
Also, I’ve found that ganders (male geese) might try to mate with your hens, which can lead to injured hens due to their size difference. To keep things running smoothly, I’d give both species plenty of space and monitor them closely, especially during breeding season.
What To Consider If You’re Raising Meat Birds
If you’re raising meat birds, it’s worth noting how geese protect chickens might not always align with your goals. Meat birds are typically raised for a short period, and integrating geese into that system might not be necessary or could cause more trouble than it’s worth. Keep your specific setup and goals in mind when deciding if geese are the right fit.
Are Geese With Chickens The Right For Your Homestead?
Geese and chickens living together can be a great addition to many homesteads – they’ve been a great addition to mine. But before I got mine all situated, I had to weigh the pros and cons. Pros include natural security, deterring smaller predators, and lower overall maintenance costs.
There are definitely some cons that come with their territorial nature and their need for space can be challenging, especially if you’re dealing with a small area or a mixed flock. One of the first things I learned is that you have to ask what your homestead needs. If you’re on board for their benefits, then you also need to be okay with some of their cons as well.
Guard Geese Final Thoughts
Keeping a guard goose for your chickens can be an awesome addition to your homestead if you’re looking for flock protection. They’re great at spotting predators, alerting your chickens to danger, and adding some extra security without much fuss.
That said, geese come with their own set of challenges, like needing space and possibly getting territorial, so make sure they’re the right fit for your setup. Whether you’re protecting chickens or adding some extra help around the farm, geese can be an excellent choice if managed properly.
Your Turn!
- Do you find geese too noisy to have on your homestead?
- How are your geese getting along with your chickens?
I have a large farm, and i keep chicken in a mobile coop which has the feed, water, and nesting boxes, which i try to move daily. I do not keep a fence around it. I got a full-grown goose to put with the chickens, but he ran off. Is there a way to get a goose/geese to adopt the flock as theirs, and not run off without having a fence around them to contain them