I posted recently about ducks/geese being in same pen with our goats. Last week a duck got stepped on this week a tolouse goose, both are healing. But today I went in the barn and found our Mallard-Mallie is her name dead and having been stepped on - her neck. She would always get right up under their legs.

She was really bonding with us lately and seemed to love being held! I wish we had gotten everyone out sooner! Right now they are stationed under the picnic table with chicken wire around. Tomorrow I will let the healthy guys out to graze.

We learned a lesson the hard way we figured they would stay out of each others way! I had even read other posts of people having their ducks/geese with sheep and goats. So beware this will not work for everyone!

-- Lynn (johnnypfc@yahoo.com), June 12, 2001

Answers

So Sorry about your loss. I've seen them together but they weren't penned ~ they were on acreage. You're right, this method is not for everyone. I'd be leary, myself. I've seen goats attempt to kill other critters. Now I really don't know if they were going for the kill or just doing goat play, but the result wasn't pretty.

-- ~Rogo (rogo2020@yahoo.com), June 12, 2001.

Lynn, I am sorry to hear of you loss. Ducks are neat critters and totally defenseless against any predator. I do not agree with Rogo about goats killing other animals or poultry. But, Lynn, keepng ducks who are messy creatures and really make any water container nasty in a short time, in with goats who are sooo picky about their water being clean and fresh, was a mistake from the start. My chickens don't like the ducks in with them because of the water situation. Homesteading is a learning experience and sometimes innocent creatures pay for our mistakes. I hope you have another duck like Mallie and she has her very on duck home on your farm.

-- Karen D. Mauk (kansasgoats@iwon.com), June 12, 2001.

Lynn sorry about your loss. Maybe they are just in too small of a pen. I have had ducks and chickens and a goat in the same small barn together for a long time with no loss. The only loss I had was from predetors but if I leave my dog with them they are safe.

-- DAN (hoppingator321@yahoo.com), June 12, 2001.