big brown horse
Hoof In Mouth
That is what I've been told. Anyone have experience?
The yard is a fenced acre, 1/3 forest and dense bushes, the rest is grass and sun. The chickens/ducks also like to go under the back deck and under the 40 x 15 open shed. We just suddenly lost our LGD and we are trying to adjust to the changes. My run in the coop is too small for everyone to live all day long IMO, I'm going to probably have to extend it soon if the new LGD-in-training isn't very good at LGD-ing.rhoda_bruce said:I don't think geese will protect the flock, but the birds of prey won't attack such a huge animal. I think there will be some separation between the species. I think guineas would sound the alarm better than geese, but geese will also sound a good alarm.
Do you have enough cover in the run? They are small animals and will feel safest under weeds and bushes, as they would in their natural environment. If you don't have a few big bushes, maybe you can create some cover with a few old saw horses, covered with wire and shade it a bit.....or maybe an A frame no one is using can be wired and you can put a grape vine growing on it with a little chicken wire for protection from the chickens....and the birds get protected under the frame kinda thing.
I don't exactly do free range, but I have a generous run and just bring the grass clippings and such to them to make up for not free ranging. Free ranging is healthy and cheap, but the question is can you find the eggs and are the birds safe? I mean a pasture wouldn't be good for a chicken because they would be looking for something to hide under.
In theory, you are onto something though. If you have cover spread about and have a good 'watch dog' that will sound the alarm, you might have better luck keeping your flock safe.