Are all geese mean?

[crissycriss]

I have never had geese before but think i might like to get some.My husband said no because they are mean.Is this always the case?Are their certain breeds that are better than some?Do they make good pets or should i just be happy with my ducks and chickens?If we did get any i would want some that could be used for meat.Any sugestions would be appreciated.Thanks in advance!!!

 

[kandyg_99]

I Have Sebastopols & Chinese Geese.Neither Have Ever Given Me Any Trouble.During Breeding Season My Sebastopols Hiss & Carry On But Never Have Come After Me....

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Production (utility) grey Toulouse and American geese are both quiet, meat production geese. Temperaments are greatly the result of how they are raised. Hand feeding, cuddling and the like will lend itself to mouthy adults who think they out rank you in the flock.

Some breeds tend to be bossier, and appear meaner than others. Some are just known for being easy going.

 

[Oregon Blues]

Goose behavior is mostly about training, although you would want to buy geese from a breeder who breeds for good temperament.

Most goose behavior problems appear to be from people who try to raise their geese like they are pet dogs. That seems to confuse them about their status in the flock.

 

[ChickieBooBoo]

I have Pilgrims and American Buffs. None of them have ever attacked me, the ganders hiss and stick their necks out but thats it. My geese are all raised by the parents, if they don't hatch them out themselves then I give them the goslings when they are a bit older. They seem to adopt them much easier then a chicken or duck.

 

[crissycriss]

Thank you all for all the great ideas.will research all these breeds and hopefully by next spring can get a couple.How would you go about finding a breeder?

 

[Ally Rose]

They are loud, but not always mean. Just be careful when its breeding season. Oh and get sebastopols! they are really pretty!

 

[larkflying]

We got our geese from Metzers . . . around here there aren't reliable local sources for goslings, but it is possible you could find a local breeder too -- that is what I would prefer, but Metzer's did great with our shipment of goslings. They are adults now, and two of them hatched out 16 goslings this spring. Metzer's also has a great breed chart for reference, so you can see what different types of geese are like compared to other types. Holderread's has very high quality birds as well.

Our geese are American Buff geese . . . they are beautiful and very laid back, but during breeding season the ganders can vary in how they handle things. I had one gander that would repeatedly attack when his mate was on the nest. The other two ganders were all talk, but that one -- whew!

 

[Blondiechic]

Glad you asked this as my husband says the same thing! Can I have one goose with my chickens? And when you say about being to familiar with them can they be handled like chickens? And can they sleep with the girls? To be honest I find geese intimidating but I still like them!

 

[larkflying]

One goose would be lonely -- a pair at least would be better . . . They usually do fine with chickens but don't generally hang out with them much. They are bigger and heavier and need at least a kiddie pool, and/or a deep bucket to wash their heads in, don't need as much shelter, but do need protection from predators. My geese choose to sleep out at night but many people herd them into a shelter for safety. They don't roost, so if they sleep under the chickens it wouldn't be very sanitary. Usually they do better if they have their own space to sleep in . . . they do tend to boss the chickens around sometimes . . .