Personally, I like all my critters to be shut safely in for the night, regardless of age. Geese are trainable.. not so sure about ducks.

Regarding safety, you need to consider what predators are in your area. Anything that will swim readily will have good access to the pen if it is open to the water. Raccoons, for instance, would take quick advantage of such a set up... and once they are in the pen the birds would have nowhere to go.

Also, do you plan to have a top on the pen? Some predators will climb over a 4-5 foot fence. And while they are young, your birds would be at the mercy of owls and hawks.

Yes, another goose (female) would be a good idea. They form strong bonds and a single goose would be a sad goose.

Have you given thought to how many of these "pets" you may end up with next year? And what you are going to do with them?

From what I hear, your duck to drake ratio may be problematic once they mature. Drakes are NOT considerate when mating and too many ganging up on one duck may evn drown her. No personal experience of ducks, I should add, so I may be all wet on this one... Pun intended!

Just what comes to mind hearing your ideas... I do see the attraction of a set-up like you describe, but please do your troubleshooting in advance to make sure your birds are safe.

Hi! There is not much help from me, I only have a single duck! But just wanted to know where in ET are you? I am in Tyler..........
Jennifer

Maggie, I have only 1 goose. (canadian) do you think he will be ok when he grows up? Or do you think he will be lonely? He has bonded with my ducks. I figure he will grow up and think he is one of them????

Maggie, thanks for the info.

On the fencing to the pond, it would be a half circle shape about 30 feet wide 15' deep. The pen will have a roof on it with a front and rear opening so they would have a back door if needed. I know I can't protect against all predators but, wow, will raccoons really eat duck and geese? We have snakes, foxes, coyotes, skunks, a bob cat or two, feral hogs and feral cats and of course the neighbors dogs.

OK, this may be fantasy but some animal will eat the eggs, but my main concern is the birds. If/when a predator makes the swim, I'm trying to design/position the shelter in the spot that gives them a chance. Not too close to the water but, close enough so they can hear something comeing, but not up against the fence where they would have less of a chance. Maybe in the middle. Would foxes, coyotes dogs and cats make the swim. This is my best attempt at an island without it being an island. Will hawks and owls go into the shelter after the ducks and geese? Even if/when they are full grown?

Plan B is to keep them in the stables at night next to the chickens but getting them to come up from the pond each day may be imposible.

What are your thoughts on guineas if any?

I've never had anything go after my ducks, but I have a fence all around my yard and keep the ducks in a dollhouse at night, so that might be why.
I'm not sure if the 'foxes, dogs, coyotes, raccoons, etc would come into the fence to get your ducks or not? They might, I know of many people it has happened to. But, I'm not sure if they had a fenced in area or not.
What kind of ducks do you have??
I don't think a hawk would be big enough to catch a full grown duck. I read on another forum once that a eagle killed someone's drake muscovy, but I'm not sure about a hawk.
Let us know how it goes, I hope someone can help you better than I can.
Genny

Okay... I have a clearer picture of the set-up now, Coldiron. I think!

Is it feasible to put wire across the pond, so that the birds have a section for swimming that is enclosed, along with their shelter? It wouldn't be pretty, but it would be safe. If you put the wire across the narrowest part of the pond and built at the end, it would not take all that much extra wire.

If that is not a possibility (and it is difficult to tell from here!) then I suggest making their night shelter secure and locking them in it at night. A bit of a pain, but if you bribe them with goodies at bedtime, it could work. My geese are fond of their routines and if I am much delayed putting them in they start calling me!

As far as raccoons and other predators... how far will they go for a meal? Depends on how desperate they are. A big old raccoon can certainly take down a duck -- ducks are pretty defenseless. It might not be able to kill a full-grown goose, but it could certainly injure it. Raccoons don't mind swimming... not sure about coyotes, foxes etc. And you know that domestic dogs can be fond of the water and of killing birds!

If your pen and shelter are covered, your birds should be safe from hawks and owls. They are most a risk this summer while they are young and inexperienced.

Guineas may raise the alarm... but they are useless for actual protection. And I don't know how they would be with ducks and geese. Never had any. My geese chase (but do not harm) the chickens. Although they half plucked a cockerel last year when he trapped himself in their side of the poultry house! He lit out for the woods and lived there for several months until some predator got him.

I hope these ramblings are of some help. It is difficult to advise because my situation is so different (no pond, no ducks) and all my birds free range by day and are locked in at night. Hope whatever you decide works for you!

GennyM - If your Canada goose has bonded to the ducks he may not be lonely. In any case, when he matures this fall he may decide to leave you and join the wild geese. Don't be too sad if that happens... it is, after all, his natural, happy life. And who knows? Maybe he will decide to stay with you and the ducks.

Jennifer,

We are in Grapeland , Texas, between Crockett and Palestine.