Ducks versus Geese -

[Going Quackers]

All of you make excellent sales people for geese lol I have seen plenty in person over the years some are so darn big though! a touch intimidating.

 

[Lollipop]

All of you make excellent sales people for geese lol I have seen plenty in person over the years some are so darn big though! a touch intimidating.

Ha Ha, they are intimidating, but most of it is bluff, unless you are talking mama with babies. Sure some will bite you, but they can also be taught that is a no no, unlike a mean rooster. Seems like everyone has a mean goose story, but the trick is, stand your ground.......Pop

 

[Iain Utah]

Have to chime in to sell the wonderful goose as a great pet!

To me they are a cross between dogs and horses, with a little extra uniqueness all to themselves.

I cannot emphasize the degree of bonding my geese have to me except to compare it to my aussies. I have hatched out africans, toulouse, and grey & buff dewlaps. They all see me as "momma goose" and will come to me when I call for them, follow me around, talk to me, and some even like to be pet, picked up, or even cuddled with.

They are intelligent and trainable. They distinguish between people they know and strangers. They also know which dogs/cats are ok and have a respect and awareness towards horses. They understand voice cues and body language. They learn routines quickly and appreciate them.

And one thing I really like about them (which may be seen by others as a pro or con) is their long lifespan. For me, 10 years or less is way too short a time to share with a pet. I want 20+ years!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Have to chime in to sell the wonderful goose as a great pet!

To me they are a cross between dogs and horses, with a little extra uniqueness all to themselves.

I cannot emphasize the degree of bonding my geese have to me except to compare it to my aussies. I have hatched out africans, toulouse, and grey & buff dewlaps. They all see me as "momma goose" and will come to me when I call for them, follow me around, talk to me, and some even like to be pet, picked up, or even cuddled with.

They are intelligent and trainable. They distinguish between people they know and strangers. They also know which dogs/cats are ok and have a respect and awareness towards horses. They understand voice cues and body language. They learn routines quickly and appreciate them.

And one thing I really like about them (which may be seen by others as a pro or con) is their long lifespan. For me, 10 years or less is way too short a time to share with a pet. I want 20+ years!

I like 20 + too although our son my be have to take ours after we're gone.

 

[Lollipop]

Iain, on this subject, Strombergs has a waterfowl book out that states a goose can live up to 100 years and reproduce up to age 40. Never heard of that, but a long lifespan under ideal conditions certainly points toward longer that 10 years. And I agree with ya.........Pop

 

[Mykee]

You guys make me want more geese. I had three, but one, Humphrey, got stuck in the fence and somehow injured her nervous system. My dad had to put her down. But the real reason I posted was to ask if it is possible to cross breed ducks and geese. Humphrey always dug holes around her water bucket, was much friendlier (and smaller) than our other geese, swam more, and had a little tuft on her head (her breed isn't supposed to.) We always joked about her being "the Duck".
The remaining goose (plus a gander) is really noisy and doesn't like people at all. She is really annoying.
But definitely try geese. It's kind of funny, because now I want a pair of Khaki Cambells.

 

[fowllover]

This is a very interesting thread. I have been apprehensive to try geese because I have small children and leery about them chasing my kids. What breeds are docile and kid friendly?

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Fowl we have a 17 month old son, every breed we have here (minus the pasture living Africans) are fine with him. We herd all the ducks and geese using 1/4" PVC pipe as an arm extension. Our son has a very short piece and so far we don't have a single goose or gander who gives him any trouble. He can sit and the ducklings and goslings will come to him willingly.

 

[Mykee]

I have American Buff; they are friendly enough for geese.

 

[Iain Utah]

Miss Lydia,

I inherited my 1st pair of ganders from the former owners of the current property I live on (who passed away). The ganders are in their teens, I am told. The neighbor lady fed them for 2 years while the property sat vacant before I moved in. The former owners' son came and visited today and hung out with the ganders and their adopted 4 african juveniles. It was sweet listening to the stories of his mom and their favorite gander "Buddy".

Hope you and your geese get to grow very old together.

Janet

Pops: 40 sounds like an extreme, especially for my heavy-set breeds. But I want at least 20!