Best friendly goose?? New to the goose thing, would like expert input!

[jerseygirl1]

I am getting a Sebastopol gander from Hatrick silkies on Saturday, I am so thrilled!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Cottage Rose]

Supposedly Sebastopols, Americans and Pilgrims are calmer and not as aggressive/noisy as other breeds such as Africans and Chinese
but like Goosedragon said its an individual thing. I'm sure there's good and bad in every breed but try to find a local, reputable breeder of whatever breed appeals to you most and visit their farm to see first hand what geese act like. Its also helpful to get day olds or youngsters that have bonded to humans at birth. They are much more friendly and tame than field raised geese that may never come around no matter how many treats you feed them.
Good luck!

 

[Shaun]

We had wonderful luck with Chinese. Never once did any of them attack, intimidate, or nip at anyone - children or adults - if it wasn't a hen on the nest. I did get beaked a few times taking eggs away from a broody, but that's to be expected. They would have gladly reproduced every year, but you only need so many geese if you're not eating them.

They are wonderful "watch geese", but they are a bit noisy, and if anything they are TOO friendly. They prefer to be in on every conversation

 

[BorderKelpie]

I have been wanting geese for years. Now that I have a fenced in yard (little over 1/2 acre) I am wanting to get a pair.
From what I have been reading, it sounds as if the Sebastopols are what I'm looking for. I have read that they are fairly quiet and friendly.
Now, if I could just find some close by.......

(Anyone in the Dallas metro area?) lol

Good luck on your goose research.

 

[chickensioux]

Sebbies!!!

 

[[email protected]]

Quote:
We live about 3 hrs south, outside of austin, and there are bunches of geese at the city pond, they seem really nice, you could make a drive down... jennifer

 

[dreamcatcherarabians]

I loved my Chinese geese, especially the gander. The goose was very sweet but a bit shy. The gander was very social and wanted to be consulted about everything. We all got on great until they disappeared. The gander and I used to "box" when he was feeling feisty, never hurt me but hit me hard enough with that beak to leave a bruise and then would crawl up in my lap 2 minutes later and give the best goose neck hugs ever. Once Gander was in my lap, then Goose would get brave and come up for a cuddle too. I can't wait to get another pair of geese in the spring. I liked raising them from babes because we got to do 'swimming lessons' in my big old jacuzzi bath tub. Watching 2 little goslings swimming laps is PRICELESS!

 

[[email protected]]

Dream, how did you geese disappear? Explain, poor things... jennifer

 

[gottsegnet]

I say Pilgrim. Of course, you should take into account that they are the only geese I've ever had, but I love them. They peep at me whenever I'm near and come to visit. All three of them let me stroke them and come when I call. They're just beginning to honk. They and the ducks hang out like a little flock so you always know where they are by the quacking and peeping.

They're housed with chickens and have never showed any aggression toward them. Every so often when I first put the feed dish in, they'll nip a chicken on the back to get them out of the way but seeing as the chickens don't respond, I don't think it hurts. They're big enough to reach over the heads of the chickens to get into the top of the feeder anyway.

Pilgrims are known for being docile and non-aggressive. That's why we got them as our first geese, but I don't think I want any other kinds now that we've gotten to know these guys. Looking forward to growing our flock next spring!

 

[gottsegnet]

Oh, also whatever you get make sure you handle them a lot. My geese tolerate my husband who's never had much to do with them. They follow me everywhere and make a fuss if I'm in the garden and they can't in, the same as they do when they are separated from each other. They are fine with the children who handled them a lot as well, but the kids aren't always calm and quiet around them so they tend to stay out of the children's way. Which is fine so long as they don't get aggressive.

They free range during the day right now, but may have a pen next year. Depends on whether we have the money for all our fencing projects!

Oh, and they're fun to herd. I have to chase the ducks a bit, waving my hands and stick around to direct them where I want them to go. To move the geese, I only have to peep and walk. They just tag along behind unless I'm trying to put them in the hen house before sundown. They're not dumb, after all.