6 days to go!

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zubaz

In the Brooder
May 31, 2022
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Well found myself on this blog with 6 days before becoming a chicken owner. We've ordered 9 chicks from MyPetChicken and they come next Monday. We'd wanted a Toulouse to raise with them, since roosters weren't an option for us due to noise (our choice), but were sad to learn they were sold out. They have Embden, but we wanted a smaller goose and were set on that due to advice offered by the kind folks at that hatchery.

Does anyone know another hatchery where those are available, and/or if there is another option that would be docile enough for children and not overly large? Oh, and here are our answers, oops :)

(1) Are you new to chickens / when did you first get chickens? June 6th, brand new!

(2) How many chickens do you have right now? Soon to have 9

(3) What breeds do you have? Some buffs, plymoth rocks, Welsumer and Australorps

(4) What are your favorite aspects of raising backyard chickens? We love eggs and don't currently have any pets

(5) What are some of your other hobbies? Gardening, camping

(6) Tell us about your family, your other pets, your occupation, or anything else you'd like to share. Project manager by day, but soon to walk away and start a gardening business :)

(7) Bonus: How did you find BYC, how long have you known about BYC, and what made you finally join our awesome community? :D

Just by searching. We've been looking for awhile and researching and found the blog.

We're in western PA
 
What a great adventure you are about to begin; you have picked some great breeds!

Do you want a goose as a flock leader? Or to protect your chickens? Or, just because they are incredible creatures?

American Buff geese are generally about 14-16 pounds, and are fairly docile -- until I steal their eggs. They are not overly noisy, but I do love the sound of their voices.

My two girls are inseparable, so I would suggest getting at least two and housing them separately from your chickens. Like all waterfowl, they delight in making messes -- mine like to bathe in drinking water dishes and splash water everywhere. This puts them at odds with chickens who need dry bedding and housing.

The girls are not "guard" geese, as such; they would never protect anyone but themselves. But the geese are always first to spot an overhead threat -- like the bald eagles that fly over -- and alert the chickens and ducks to take cover. On the down side, they also alert everyone to every motorcycle that comes down the road.

Best wishes for your new flock and the gardening business! Welcome to BYC; let us know when those new babies arrive!
 

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