- Mar 14, 2012
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Hi everyone,
I am up north and the storm wiped out my pen. Of course something got I before I could shape up the broken bits. I had a drake, imprinted, trained, and wonderful. I lost him and one of the girls. I am placing the other girl because my heart can't do ducks again. At least not right now.
I will be fixing up the pen and coop through the winter (assuming we aren't always going to be covered in snow this year!) and I am making plans for spring. I so miss the chatter of greetings! How sad it is to walk out to a silent back yard.
So! I am considering a goose! My dog - a standard poodle - was right up here with the ducks and he would be with the goose, as well. They were never left alone together but when I was around, they hung out together. The drake usually gave dog grief until I set the dog into herding mode. It was mostly a good arrangement!
So my first question is: if raised with him and if encouraged and supervised by me, will any gosling grow to tolerate my dog, as the drake did? I did the whole diaper thing (NEVER thought I would be so crazy for a DUCK!) and the two were fine in the house and everything. Assuming we go through the same training and socializing, can I expect the same results with a goose?
My next question hinges on an affirmative to the first: which smallish goose breed is the friendliest, most sociable, and easiest to socialize to visitors (here again with proper training and careful socializing). I have been looking at Shetlands, only because they are so tiny! (Super cute!) I am open to any of the small to medium breeds. I do not want any of the great big geese.
My last question is: do I need two geese or can I get away with one? She (going to get a girl) would be left alone outside for 3 to 6 hours a day in a pen, but only 3 or 4 days a week. When the weather is good for it, the dog gets tied outside beside - but not inside - the pen. I certainly don't mind getting two. I'm just not going to if I don't need to.
Thanks, everyone, in advance.
I am up north and the storm wiped out my pen. Of course something got I before I could shape up the broken bits. I had a drake, imprinted, trained, and wonderful. I lost him and one of the girls. I am placing the other girl because my heart can't do ducks again. At least not right now.
I will be fixing up the pen and coop through the winter (assuming we aren't always going to be covered in snow this year!) and I am making plans for spring. I so miss the chatter of greetings! How sad it is to walk out to a silent back yard.
So! I am considering a goose! My dog - a standard poodle - was right up here with the ducks and he would be with the goose, as well. They were never left alone together but when I was around, they hung out together. The drake usually gave dog grief until I set the dog into herding mode. It was mostly a good arrangement!
So my first question is: if raised with him and if encouraged and supervised by me, will any gosling grow to tolerate my dog, as the drake did? I did the whole diaper thing (NEVER thought I would be so crazy for a DUCK!) and the two were fine in the house and everything. Assuming we go through the same training and socializing, can I expect the same results with a goose?
My next question hinges on an affirmative to the first: which smallish goose breed is the friendliest, most sociable, and easiest to socialize to visitors (here again with proper training and careful socializing). I have been looking at Shetlands, only because they are so tiny! (Super cute!) I am open to any of the small to medium breeds. I do not want any of the great big geese.
My last question is: do I need two geese or can I get away with one? She (going to get a girl) would be left alone outside for 3 to 6 hours a day in a pen, but only 3 or 4 days a week. When the weather is good for it, the dog gets tied outside beside - but not inside - the pen. I certainly don't mind getting two. I'm just not going to if I don't need to.
Thanks, everyone, in advance.
