Anyone have Buff Geese? Thinking of getting some.

[beccaWA]

Hi, all. I'm thinking of getting some Buff Geese. I would probably house them separately from my free range chickens and 3 ducks. I've heard these geese are very docile and not as loud as some others.

Recommendations on housing, etc. and where to purchase? What hatchery has the best geese? Last year I had a bad experience with some Cayuga ducks I got from my local feed store, so I want good stock.

I have overhead predators, so any recommendations for that? The area I'm thinking of keeping them in doesn't have much cover. Are there covers you can build for them to scoot under when hawks are overhead?

Thanks!

 

[Goosebaby]

Hi, all. I'm thinking of getting some Buff Geese. I would probably house them separately from my free range chickens and 3 ducks. I've heard these geese are very docile and not as loud as some others.

Recommendations on housing, etc. and where to purchase? What hatchery has the best geese? Last year I had a bad experience with some Cayuga ducks I got from my local feed store, so I want good stock.

I have overhead predators, so any recommendations for that? The area I'm thinking of keeping them in doesn't have much cover. Are there covers you can build for them to scoot under when hawks are overhead?

Thanks!

Buff geese are wonderful, my first set came from McMurray, my newest Buff girl came from Metzer, all of them were/are sweet and healthy.

Housing can be a simple A frame with a back, or a roofed dog kennel, I use dog kennels to lock them up safe at night from predators like raccoons, coyotes, bobcats, foxes, once they’re adults geese are generally safe from aerial predators unless you’re in an area with eagles.
While they’re little you’ll want to keep them indoors in a small baby pool or a large bin with wood shavings, something that can be hosed out when it gets dirty.

Adults like to have a dogloo, doghouse, dog travel crate, small A frame with a back, and “cave” like place to nest and lay in.

 

[Goosebaby]

Also hanging, bells, reflective streamers and other objects like cds can help deter aerial predators.

 

[beccaWA]

Buff geese are wonderful, my first set came from McMurray, my newest Buff girl came from Metzer, all of them were/are sweet and healthy.

Housing can be a simple A frame with a back, or a roofed dog kennel, I use dog kennels to lock them up safe at night from predators like raccoons, coyotes, bobcats, foxes, once they’re adults geese are generally safe from aerial predators unless you’re in an area with eagles.
While they’re little you’ll want to keep them indoors in a small baby pool or a large bin with wood shavings, something that can be hosed out when it gets dirty.

Adults like to have a dogloo, doghouse, dog travel crate, small A frame with a back, and “cave” like place to nest and lay in.

Thanks! I've raised waterfowl (ducks) and chickens. Sounds like the A frame would be simple enough to build, and could put it on skids to move it around. We do have the occasional eagle and some HUGE red-tailed hawks. I'll have to think about some simple shelter in that open area maybe. I think I want to keep them separate from my other (free range) birds as I've heard they can be aggressive towards smaller birds? I think a male and 2 to 3 females would be a good ratio, I hope. Thanks so much for the info!

 

[Goosebaby]

Thanks! I've raised waterfowl (ducks) and chickens. Sounds like the A frame would be simple enough to build, and could put it on skids to move it around. We do have the occasional eagle and some HUGE red-tailed hawks. I'll have to think about some simple shelter in that open area maybe. I think I want to keep them separate from my other (free range) birds as I've heard they can be aggressive towards smaller birds? I think a male and 2 to 3 females would be a good ratio, I hope. Thanks so much for the info!

Geese can be aggressive towards smaller birds, it helps if they’re raised around them but doesn’t guarantee they’ll always like each other.

 

[beccaWA]

Geese can be aggressive towards smaller birds, it helps if they’re raised around them but doesn’t guarantee they’ll always like each other.

Thanks! That's what I've heard. I was thinking of penning them separately in an open area where I'm going to plant some fruit trees.