A city goose?

[harbortaylors]

I was trolling through this forum and found a bit of information that I am looking for but not many specifics.

Here is my plan. I currently have a small flock of buckeyes (10 birds), one old black sexlink (which has become a family pet (she survived the recent culling because my son loves her), and three Welsh Harlequin ducks. Each species has it's own pen and the yard is divided into three sections that I can fence off and keep different birds in different areas if we so choose. We live three blocks from our city center, have about 1/4 acre total, and our birds are the talk of the town. All our neighbors love them (could be the free eggs they receive), even the city animal control officer is enthusiastic about our setup, and the mayor has expressed his fondness for our little project. We have worked hard to build strong pens, high fences, and keep things clean and smell free (all in the most natural methods possible... no chemicals anywhere on our property, everything built from salvaged materials, etc...)

So on our property the chickens are for eggs, chicks (we hatch a few in the spring), meat, and most importantly (for us) as our garbage disposals. Our ducks give us a few eggs and rid the yard of the ever present slugs that are so determined to destroy my garden. Now the only thing I have not figured out yet is the lawn... or rather how to mow the lawn. I hate mowing. I find it a wasteful practice and a waste of time. However, I live in the city and must obey the "don't let your grass get over 16" tall EVER" rule or face the city ordinance officers wrath.

In my recent research I came across discussions of geese eating pasture. I have already seeded my yard with bluegrass/rye mix in an effort to be fairly natural. So I am thinking it is time to add a goose. I say "A" goose, because I do not want several. We are looking to add a goose as a lawn mower, an alarm system, and a family "pet". The bird will not be food (unless it bites one of us hard enough!) and would be given a cushy little house by the front porch and plenty of attention from my son.

I had a goose years ago, but I lived far our ot town and noise was not an issue... but I remember that nobody could get within 100 feet of my property without me knowing about it. And it used to chase away the ups man when he made deliveries.

As we were thinking about getting a dog for "the backyard alarm", I starting thinking a goose could be alot more fun (I really am not a dog person... I prefer birds). And the noise shouldn't be too much of an issue as there are dogs that bark ALL NIGHT LONG in seemingly every direction around my house. One goose honking when something is amiss shouldn't be that big a deal.

All that said, what breeds would people recommend? And would you recommend a male or female? Are there breeds that are less "randomly vocal"? How about temperment? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. My last goose was an African named Gwen. She was probably the most fun animal I have ever earned and was probably the friendliest I have ever owned (except to the ups man).

Thanks!

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

2 geese, 1 will be lonely really even if you have other birds geese like geese. You will still ave to mow, as geese do a lot of selective grazing. So you may have tall and short areas. We keep mostly calm breeds, Sebastopol, Dewlap (and utility) Toulouse, American (1 pair). We have a pair of utility Africans, but they live in the rear pasture.

 

[flockman]

I would suggest a pair of American geese. Not very noisy and calm. The only issue is if they can see through the fence they will sound off for anyone walking by.

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

I have 10 geese. 4 Sebbie x Romans, one two y/o White Roman goose, one white Sebbie, and 4 American Buffs. My Sebbie, and Sebbie mixes are very quite and hardly ever make a sound, unless they are really excited about something ( such as seeing me in the morning as they know they're about to be let out and fed). Then my American Buffs are very quite, but are a bit louder than the Sebbies, then my White Crested Roman goose is very noisy and is an excellent guard. I know when ever something goes out there, I can usually hear her all the way in the house. If you are looking for a good guard dog, I'd say go with the Romans. If you want a sweet tempered goose, go with the Sebastapols or the Americans. Good luck on your search

~ Aspen

 

[Kevin565]

I would also recommend Pomeranians. They are fairly docile compared to other breeds I've kept. Plus noise wise they are much quieter than my White and Brown Chinese Geese.