Anybody keep geese in the backyard?

[Nutcase]

I keep my dewlap Toulouse group in yards around my house. They are generally pretty quiet, except during breeding season.

Not sure about Australia, but we have pretty strict zoning laws in America that dictate what kind of animals can be kept on your property. You may want to make sure geese are allowed in case a neighbor does take offense to the noise.

I did think of that. We didn't actually check before we got chickens and we've kept 6 in our backyard for years without any problems or complaints. Here the animal regulations are pretty slack. I know people who keep ducks and chickens in a yard less than half the size of ours. Besides if our neighbours can keep smelly maniacal dogs, surely 2 or 3 geese can't be too bad?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I did think of that. We didn't actually check before we got chickens and we've kept 6 in our backyard for years without any problems or complaints. Here the animal regulations are pretty slack. I know people who keep ducks and chickens in a yard less than half the size of ours. Besides if our neighbours can keep smelly maniacal dogs, surely 2 or 3 geese can't be too bad?

I think dogs are much louder than geese and can bark way longer than a goose will honk. But just to be the nice neighbor maybe mention what your thinking about doing and see what kind of response you get. Up to you of course.

 

[popsicle]

A dog will kill geese, I would not get them to put the fear into this cocker spaniel unless there is a good fence between them. I only have kiddy pools and my flock doesn't seem to mind a bit.

The dog has had ample opportunity to kill my chickens and turkeys and hasn't--dogs going after livestock is not tolerated around here. I'm looking for something that will be as noisy as the dog, and give them a taste of their own medicine (animal throwing a fit at folks minding their own business on their own property).

I'm not in the habit of raising animals to be eaten by anybody other than myself (lost 6 hens to a fox several years ago, changed my free-ranging practices and haven't lost one since).

I saw the OP's comment about neighbors dogs, and thought I would throw in my similar experience.

 

[Nutcase]

Quote: Yes I will probably do that. Especially to our newest neighbours. Do you have problems keeping geese off your verandah?

 

[servpolice]

Hmm dont get geese to shoo away a dog that could harm the birds just buy a rifle and shoot the dog done and over with

 

[Nutcase]

Hmm dont get geese to shoo away a dog that could harm the birds just buy a rifle and shoot the dog done and over with

In Australia it's illegal to own a gun without a license. Licenses are hard to get and you'd in trouble either way if you shot a neighbour's dog!

 

[popsicle]

Hmm dont get geese to shoo away a dog that could harm the birds just buy a rifle and shoot the dog done and over with

Actually, the geese would be gotten for Christmas (Easter, or whatever is the nearest holiday) dinner. I'd really want ducks, but I can't provide more than a kiddie pool and have fenced pasture, so figure geese would be a better fit.

I just really remember the geese growing up--I don't know what they were besides giant grey things. EVERYTHING on the farm was afraid of them--hogs, dogs, peacocks...

 

[Nutcase]

We don't really have a Christmas or Easter dinner to speak of - anyway our Decembers are hot and humid not a classic snowy winter!! In your opinion, are geese to be preferred over ducks in terms of mess among other things?

 

[RURU]

Have a funny about a fox in the yard. I had 3 male peacocks and one day I seen a fox running through the front yard and right behind them were all three of my peacock's chasing that nasty thing off the property!!!

Now there is a bird for noise for you and male peacock's and will run the dog off....

I have a Great Dane and she respects the geese because the gander's go after her to stay away from the goose family.

 

[coffeychicks]

Please keep in mind geese are life time breeders with their mate. If you get 3 one will always be treated poorly. If you want more then 2 the get 2 pairs so they can have a happy life. As for dogs. Though mine have put the fear of god in one stray. Another dog attacked my girl and ripped the webbing of her foot yes they are aggressive but no match for a dog