We have started raising some chickens for eggs this spring and after a fox attack decimated our first batch of chicks, we decided to retaliate with 1) a super reinforced mobile coop and electric fencing and 2) a guard goose, our very own Crosby. Crosby was not getting along with his father back at his home so we were able to bring him here to act as our predator alarm. He has already scared off a fox and alerted us to a skunk, as well as every passing motorcycle (don’t ride motorcycles down our road unless you want to get honked at!).

He’s been a lot of fun. He has such interesting habits and for us who have never had any type of poultry or water fowl before, it’s been fun watching him. We especially love when he’s in his little kiddie pool.

Right now he’s guarding three chickens (the survivors of the Great Fox Debacle) – two Easter eggers and one Cinnamon Queen. One of the easter eggers has a scissors beak who we lovingly call “Old Crooked Beak”. She is also very personable and likes to follow us around, so Old Crooked Beak is definitely a favorite. We have another batch of chicks growing up in the brooders who are a mix of Dominiques, Easter Eggers, and even some French Black Copper Marans, which will leave us with a great mix of egg colors.