Are Geese Worth the Work?

[mkeith93]

Does anyone have any breed suggestions? I'm on the lookout for a goose on the smaller side with a nice, friendly temperament but will alert my flocks to danger and be protective if necessary. One that doesn't have a huge appetite hopefully (though that might be unavoidable). It'd need to be hardy for our tough Canadian winters and will adjust and socialize well to our many different species of animal. Hopefully I'm not being too specific. Really it just needs to be small, friendly, protective and hardy. I've already done some research on the many different breeds but wanted some real advice from people that have actual hands on experience, not a website trying to pass off every breed as compatible with my lifestyle.

hi!! did you ever end up getting any geese?

 

[TheMauveDuck]

No not yet but I'm hoping it'll happen soon

 

[tmorgan46]

Wow, good to hear and surprisingly impressive. By eat the grass do you mean trim the grass like a goat or lawn mover would, or rip it out entirely so it wouldn't grow again? Like I said our ducks destroyed their old run but since they've been more free-range they've been favoring this one lush area of the yard and it's still looking normal. If they eat grass like ducks do i don't think there'd be much of a problem. When you say you rotate them around the yard what do you mean?

Hi, life got in the way and I'm finally able to respond. The geese rip the grass, sometimes the roots and all come out and sometimes it tears it off an inch or two above the ground. If there is plenty of grass I don't think they'll ruin it. By rotating I mean we only allow them in certain sections while the others are being seeded and growing out again. We've had much more trouble with the water accumulation than over grazing by ducks and geese. As far as breeds I think I read on here that Pilgrims are one of the best breeds to start with. Our Saddelback Pomeranian isn't real big and she's not too loud. Although I have no idea how loud or what kind of sounds a Saddleback Pom gander makes. I do know, that White Chinese ganders are loud and rather pissy. Not to me, but the dear wife had better not turn her back on him, or he'll get a nip at her back-side. I think it's hilarious; she, not so much.... go figure

 

[TheMauveDuck]

I was thinking about Pomeranian, they seem like pretty substantial geese. I just didn't know what their size was. Thank you for the suggestions

 

[tmorgan46]

My pleasure. I hope things work out no matter which way your decision turns out.