For you experienced goose owners, what seems to be the best number for a flock? I've got 12 eggs coming tomorrow. Was originally going to keep 2 or 3, but it's difficult to find a goose if you lose one, OR a gander. Would 3 ganders do better, like roosters, pecking order-wise? So I'm thinking if I can get six or eight to hatch, we would keep 3 geese, and find some unrelated ganders? Does anyone sell sexed goslings?
How tough is it to get them through the winter? My pond will be a ways from the farmstead, so I don't feel comfortable leaving them there in the winter. However, the creek is maybe 300 yards, so I could walk them down there.
I've wintered ducks, but how much more room/feed/water will geese need?
Other than coyotes, what would hurt a goose? I have LGDs, so not worried about dogs or coyotes. What about owls and Bald Eagles?
I lock the ducks in the barn at night with the chooks, but I've heard that geese will beat up on the chickens. Would it be better to winter them in the sheep barn?
