Are Geese Underrated?

[Goosebaby]

Did that recently go out of print then? I got my copy when I got my two boys for a reasonable price..it must have been sub £20

Probably

 

[Leader Bee]

W

Probably

Wow!!!! I just looked it up, it's selling for nearly £300 now!

 

[samanthaoverton]

Indeed I am
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Oh how adorable

 

[JRies]

I agree with geese being very close. Our 2 boys don't go anywhere without the other, I've never seen them apart and never seen them fight with each other. They literally stumble over each other while they circle and try to intimidate me. When they try to attack I usually bump them around and they will get the idea after awhile and leave me alone.

I found that post I was talking about
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/geese-training.561849/

 

[ThinMintTheChicken]

I found that post I was talking about
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/geese-training.561849/

Thank you!

 

[Artizen Farm]

Hi - just chiming in that geese are my favorites! I've lived with many chickens, ducks, pheasants, exotic birds, and non-avian vertebrates. Invertebrates too, but that's more of a work thing. Geese graze rather than rooting like our ducks did; the ducks turned our pond into a mudpit! Chickens scratched our front yard into a dust bowl. The geese are much more landscape-friendly. The defecation products are, like those of any grazing creature, good for the soil. Mating season with our ducks was repulsive; the geese are much more discrete in my opinion.
I think many folks are afraid of geese - they are indeed large and protective of their flock, especially if they have goslings. For me this is a plus, because we have many aggressive predators. So far the goose flock has persisted, while my free-range chickens are nearly gone (from a flock of about 150).
For the record, imho the REALLY scary fowl are swans....

I have a question...

Beyond a few books out there it sure seems Geese finish last in the fowl popularity contest. Like a foot note in the Duck section which turns about to be a chapter in the Chicken book calling it self "something or other on fowl".

Is this fair or am I missing something?

What are your go to guides and sources of information on geese, particularly beyond the forums?

Thanks ahead!

EDIT: I just realized this post should probably be moved! My bad....

 

[3xhhheather]

It’s true, there does seem to be a lack of books on keeping geese! My first book on them was “Keeping Geese: Breeds and Management” by Chris Ashton. She’s British, so not all the recommendations for feed/medication are quite relevant. I love the book, though! Great info.
There’s another book by Kirsten Lie-Nielsen called “The Modern Homesteader’s Guide to Keeping Geese.” I haven’t read it, but it looks good.
I hope you enjoy your geese! I have completely fallen in love with mine.

Kirstens book & instagram are why I started with geese! Her book is definitely more like a beginners guide, giving great overviews to behavior and preparation. It made me feel confident that they were the right bird for me. I think anyone who is more experienced with raising waterfowl (and even chickens) would find it a bit basic though.

 

[AGeese]

Hi - just chiming in that geese are my favorites! I've lived with many chickens, ducks, pheasants, exotic birds, and non-avian vertebrates. Invertebrates too, but that's more of a work thing. Geese graze rather than rooting like our ducks did; the ducks turned our pond into a mudpit! Chickens scratched our front yard into a dust bowl. The geese are much more landscape-friendly. The defecation products are, like those of any grazing creature, good for the soil. Mating season with our ducks was repulsive; the geese are much more discrete in my opinion.
I think many folks are afraid of geese - they are indeed large and protective of their flock, especially if they have goslings. For me this is a plus, because we have many aggressive predators. So far the goose flock has persisted, while my free-range chickens are nearly gone (from a flock of about 150).
For the record, imho the REALLY scary fowl are swans....

I think Swans are cool! But on Geese you echo my ideal sentiments indeed.

Oh and sorry to hear about your chickens...

 

[ColtHandorf]

I don't know that they're underrated so much as they aren't what people are looking for the majority of the time.
They're much larger than chickens so they need more space. They're waterfowl so they can be pretty messy. They can be super noisy. They can be protective and aggressive to visitors to the home.
They only lay eggs seasonally, so far less often than chickens or even ducks do.
I have four geese and I love them to death. None of their supposed cons bother me.
I haven't read any books on geese. Just what I can find online, mostly here on BYC.

I'd agree with this completely. I love mine, but they aren't for everyone. I'd also say there's a stigma about geese. Everyone that comes over is terrified of them and are amazed when I can walk up and pet them or don't get attacked.

 

[AGeese]

I'd agree with this completely. I love mine, but they aren't for everyone. I'd also say there's a stigma about geese. Everyone that comes over is terrified of them and are amazed when I can walk up and pet them or don't get attacked.
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Fantastic birds you got there! Great looking Buff's!