There are a few different South American birds that are often kept with poultry to help defend them against predatory birds. The most common is likely the muscovy duck.
The muscovy duck (Cairina moschata) is a large duck native to Mexico, Central America, and South America. It is a popular farm duck that is often kept for both meat and eggs. One of the reasons muscovy ducks are kept on farms is that they can help protect chickens and other poultry from aerial predators.
Muscovy Ducks as Guardians for Poultry
Muscovy ducks have a few key traits that make them well-suited as guardians for other poultry:
- Size – Muscovy ducks are very large, with males sometimes reaching up to 15 pounds. This size disparity compared to chickens helps deter aerial predators like hawks.
- Aggressive disposition – Muscovy ducks are known to be somewhat aggressive and territorial. They will confront, chase, and even attack predatory birds that enter the space of their flock.
- Alertness – Muscovy ducks are very alert and observant. They will quickly notice aerial intruders and sound loud alarm calls.
- Diet – Unlike some other ducks, muscovies do not require pond access. They can thrive alongside chickens while eating the same feed.
When kept with chickens or other ground-dwelling fowl, muscovy ducks will stay attentive to the sky and surrounding environment. At the first sign of a potential predator like a hawk or falcon, the ducks will call loudly and take flight to mob the intruder. Their aggressive harassment is usually enough to drive the predator away and prevent it from catching one of the more vulnerable chickens or ground birds.
Other Protective Birds
While muscovy ducks are likely the most popular poultry guardian from South America, there are a couple other birds that may serve a similar role:
Guinea Fowl
Guinea fowl are vibrantly-colored ground birds native to Africa but also found in Central and South America. On farms, guinea fowl will often stay close to chickens. If there is a predator threat, guinea fowl will emit loud alarm calls and, like muscovies, may mob or chase the intruder. Their noisy alert signals give chickens and other fowl time to take cover.
Geese
Some large geese breeds can help deter aerial predators. African or Chinese geese are sometimes used as guardians. Their size and loud vocalizations can intimidate or scare off hawks, eagles, and other birds of prey. South American geese like the Andean goose could serve this role as well.
Advantages of Using Guardian Birds
There are some key reasons poultry owners might select muscovy ducks, guinea fowl, or geese to help protect their chickens and other fowl:
- Lower maintenance than guard dogs – Birds require less overall care and supervision than keeping canine guardians with the flock.
- Ongoing protection – Unlike dogs who may patrol for a few hours a day, birds stay constantly alert and on guard within the flock.
- Alert signals – Loud calls from muscovies or guinea fowl notify chickens of incoming threats.
- Deterrence – Large, aggressive birds are intimidating and can deter predators from even approaching the area.
- Mobbing – Actively confronting and mobbing predators provides direct protection.
- Lower costs – Guardian birds eat the same feed as chickens so there are minimal additional costs.
Using birds like muscovy ducks or guinea fowl can provide 24/7 protection and vigilance over the flock while minimizing extra labor for the owner. Their presence adds an additional line of defense against prowling predators like hawks or raccoons.
Factors to Consider
While guardian birds offer clear benefits, here are some considerations before adding them:
- Extra space/housing – Additional birds means ensuring adequate space and housing.
- Integration period – It will take time for unfamiliar birds to become accustomed to each other.
- Guardian temperament – Some guardian birds may be overly aggressive towards flockmates.
- Predator pressure – Guardians provide the best protection in areas with high rates of aerial or terrestrial predators.
- Guardian to flock ratio – 1-2 guardians per 50-100 flockmates is typically recommended.
Introducing new guardian birds needs patience and planning to safely transition them alongside the established poultry flock. When done properly, the guardians provide ongoing surveillance and protection.
Key Takeaways
- Muscovy ducks, guinea fowl, and some goose breeds can help protect chickens and poultry from predators.
- Traits like size, aggression, vocalizations help these guardian birds deter or drive off intruders.
- Advantages include lower maintenance than dogs, constant on-site presence, mobbing of predators.
- Consider space needs, integration period, costs when adding guardian birds.
- 1-2 guardians per 50-100 flockmates is a typical ratio.
Employing guardian birds like the muscovy duck is a time-tested practice to boost security and give poultry and vulnerable ground fowl an additional layer of protection from aerial and terrestrial predators that may threaten the flock. With some planning and adjustment, guardian birds are a useful addition to any small or large poultry operation.
Conclusion
The muscovy duck is the most common South American bird utilized to help defend and guard other poultry from predatory birds. Its large size, protective disposition, constant presence, and mobbing behaviors make it well-suited to deterring birds of prey like hawks or eagles. Other birds like guinea fowl or geese can serve a similar role too. Adding guardian birds can be an efficient and cost-effective strategy to minimize losses and keep backyard or commercial flocks safer. With proper introduction and management, they can provide an invaluable line of defense for chickens and other ground fowl against both aerial and land predators.
