Lessons Learned: Geese have long necks

Here we are on the third blog post and I already have to say it: Okay. New Plan.

And it is all because we don't fence our animals.

We fence our trees.

The disadvantage of letting donkeys, goats, pigs, chickens, geese, or some combination of those and others wander around our entire property most of the time rather than confining them to tidy paddocks or grazing areas, is that it makes it pretty difficult to start young trees or grow a garden.  Sure, they have over 14 acres of untouched woodland to explore and munch on, but the little apple tree that Dave just planted just plain tastes better. 

It will be many years before this little guy is able to free-range.

We figured all of that out rather quickly and made sure to wrap the bases of young trees with netting to prevent bark-stripping - and fence the youngest saplings entirely to preserve them.  It is extra work and it is a bit unsightly, but we would rather do all of that than not give the critters the most room to roam with us every day.

We fenced our house.

We also installed a chain link fence around our house so that we could plant flowers and vegetable gardens that would not be turned into dust baths - and to keep the sidewalks free of poo.  That has worked out pretty well for us over the last few years.  We keep goslings and chicks grazing within the chainlink of our front yard when they are growing out, but send them outside once they are tall enough to reach the raised gardens.

Sending them out was a precautionary measure that I was sure we would never need as the geese have never shown any interest in our flowers or vegetable plants - preferring the bermuda grass and chickweed out in the open areas.   

​I used the word 'never' far too many times in that sentence above.  I should know better.  And I'm sure you have already guessed that the next thing I am going to say is:  Until now.

The culprits.

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