Ducks versus Geese -

[Rachelssmiles]

My Gander Sammy has been papa to all the duckling hatched this spring and one of my Muscovy ducks is sitting now, when she comes out for a breathe of fresh air Sammy goes in and stands by her nest.

He tries to be such a tough guy.

Precious!!

 

[Wynette]

Oh my word. Thanks, Celtic. Yes, time for researching! You know, Miss Lydia told me via PM just after I got my ducklings that I may as well hang out in the goose section because it wouldn't be long before I would be wanting some. I poo-poo'd that comment right away - holy cow, I guess I have to eat my words, ML!

And turkeys - gosh, don't even get me going on THEM. I've always fancied having a pair of Naragansett (sp?) - they are so beautiful, and so large that I "think" I wouldn't have to worry as much about small mammal preds as I do with the chickens & ducks. But, that's MORE research, and not for this year, to be sure!

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

always happy to be an enabler. There is a post in the goose area from someone else looking to add geese for the first time too. You may want to skim it as well, lots of info shared already in it.

 

[Miss Lydia]

always happy to be an enabler. There is a post in the goose area from someone else looking to add geese for the first time too. You may want to skim it as well, lots of info shared already in it.

And then go and drool on Celtics web site at her geese, will make you want them all the more.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Geese intimidate people . . . ducks do not. So, if you want to add waterfowl, you'd be more likely to add ducks first. Ducks also produce eggs and eat slugs and bugs . . . and they are more available. Very few of the feed stores around here even get goslings once a year. Most of them will get ducklings in a couple times during the spring. Even on craigslist, goslings are hard to find. Geese can be very noisy, depending on the breed and the time of year, although to me, a number of female ducks quacking is also pretty loud. It might be a cultural thing - I think people from other countries are more used to having geese around, where we tend to go the turkey route.

My family had geese when I was a child, and yet I don't remember really doing much with them -- just catching them occasionally. I made pets out of the chickens and taught them to ride in my bicycle basket, but the ducks and geese never made much of an impression. Now that I have raised geese though, they are easily my favorite among all of the birds.

Although, I've caught my geese with their entire head stuck down into one of those duck holes . . so it may not be just the ducks that enjoy making sink holes . . . .

I like that about catching your geese with their head stuck in one of the duck holes, of course we all know the geese would never stoop low enough to actually dig one of those holes but after it's there much to had for them not to investigate it.

 

[chickenreferee]

Oh crap. Why did I read this post??? I've been wanting geese and after reading this I am convinced they are a must. I love my chickens and the ducks are super fun, but I'd love to have a more interactive and relational bird(s) around the house. Amazing descriptions. I never knew geese were so intelligent.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Thanks Lydia, I have a couple hundred more to add, may work on it today during the little ones nap time. Lots of rain here today so not much outside work being done.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks Lydia, I have a couple hundred more to add, may work on it today during the little ones nap time. Lots of rain here today so not much outside work being done.

and while we're waitng just clicking on your farm photos is enough to make anyone fall in Love..

Lovely.

 

[Wynette]

I like that about catching your geese with their head stuck in one of the duck holes, of course we all know the geese would never stoop low enough to actually dig one of those holes but after it's there much to had for them not to investigate it.

Oh crap. Why did I read this post??? I've been wanting geese and after reading this I am convinced they are a must. I love my chickens and the ducks are super fun, but I'd love to have a more interactive and relational bird(s) around the house. Amazing descriptions. I never knew geese were so intelligent.

I know, right? Sheesh.

 

[1MrsMagoo]

As said before- they will hold a conversation with you. From the minute they hatch. You can let them out any time of day, and put them right back if a storm is coming.
And they grieve. And when they do- you feel it too.

That picture makes me wanna cry

To add to the list:

They are the first to see and signal that airborne predators are about.

They keep peace and order in their territory: Their will be none of that aggressive drake or rooster non-sense when the geese police are around.

They eat considerably less food than any of the other poultry or waterfowl I raise.

They are curious and ornery.

The ganders can be better mothers than the goose (mine is).

Their fluffiness lasts much longer than chickens or ducks.

They grow to adult size very quickly (at least mine do).

They will tend to the duck flock if raised with them. They may get territorial during breeding season, or may not, but the ducks are still part of their family.