As someone who has raised chickens and geese together, I can see a numerous benefits of keeping these two birds together. While there are certainly challenges to managing a mixed flock, the advantages far outweigh any potential drawbacks. In this article, I will explain why I believe that raising geese with chickens is a great idea, and how geese can help chickens in numerous ways.
Firstly, geese are great protectors of chickens. Unlike chickens, geese are territorial birds who will aggressively defend their space and their flock. This makes them excellent guardians against predators such as hawks, foxes, and raccoons. I have seen my geese chase away would-be predators, giving my chickens an added layer of protection. With geese around, my chickens are free to roam and forage without fear of attack.
Secondly, geese are excellent grazers. They love to munch on grass, clover, and other plants, which helps to keep the pasture healthy and thriving. Chickens also benefit from this, as they can follow behind the geese and eat the bugs and insects that the geese have disturbed. This symbiotic relationship helps to keep the pasture in balance and ensures that both birds have access to a diverse range of food sources.
Thirdly the geese can help clean the coop. Geese produce a lot of droppings but they are much larger and less messy than chicken droppings. This means geese can break down and compost the bedding in the coop making it easier to clean and reducing the risk of disease. Furthermore geese are known to eat flies and other insects which can help to reduce the presence of pests in and around the coop.
Finally, geese are simply a joy to have around. They are social birds who love to interact with humans and each other, and they have a lot of personality. Watching a flock of geese waddling around the pasture, honking and preening, is a delight. They also make great watchdogs, alerting you to any potential threats or visitors with their loud honking.
Therefore, I highly recommend raising geese with chickens. Geese are great protectors, grazers, and cleaners, and they add a lot of joy and personality to the flock. While there are some challenges to managing a mixed flock, the benefits are numerous and make it well worth the effort.