Ducks versus Geese -

[larkflying]

I couldn't face changing goose diapers for the 20 year lifespan of a goose either . . . as charming as I find them, I think I enjoy them more outside. Those with indoor geese amaze me!

We have electric poultry netting, and once the geese chew on it, they don't do it again. They are smart birds and remember that it bites them.

 

[zooweemama]

I couldn't face changing goose diapers for the 20 year lifespan of a goose either . . . as charming as I find them, I think I enjoy them more outside. Those with indoor geese amaze me!

We have electric poultry netting, and once the geese chew on it, they don't do it again. They are smart birds and remember that it bites them.

Whew! I have accidentally grabbed those fences before. I felt like I was getting smacked by the Hulk. LOL I can't imagine biting it once. hehe

 

[Wynette]

Thanks for posting, Jean! I appreciate your feedback.

Poultry netting probably doesn't pack the wallop that high-tensile type hotwire does. That's what would worry me the most. If I have to fence a huge area for them, that's another big project and, frankly, there would probably be a divorce in my house. So, if I ever DO get geese, they'll have to be able to get along in the fencing I currently have, and if it's not sufficient for them, then I won't get any. I won't keep a critter in "less than appropriate" housing.

 

[ChristineR]

My feed may be changing here shortly. There have been rumors that the distilled corn by products used in manufactured feed is causing damage to waterfowl. I am looking into finding any research to support this. But I have feed flock raiser to my birds with corn when the temps get really low. They love apples and carrots, etc. I also give them an occassional flake of alfalfa to nibble at too.

Please let us know what you find out about this.

 

[ChristineR]

Thanks for posting, Jean! I appreciate your feedback.

Poultry netting probably doesn't pack the wallop that high-tensile type hotwire does. That's what would worry me the most. If I have to fence a huge area for them, that's another big project and, frankly, there would probably be a divorce in my house. So, if I ever DO get geese, they'll have to be able to get along in the fencing I currently have, and if it's not sufficient for them, then I won't get any. I won't keep a critter in "less than appropriate" housing.

I have horses fenced in Electrobraid, and HOLY COW, it's bites! I feel like I've restarted my heart's rhythm every time I get zapped. Still, most energizers are rated to be safe for 2 year old humans, so I've assumed that it wouldn't kill my geese, as they are roughly the same weight as a toddler, and I can't imagine that they would test the fence again after getting that jolt. I haven't tested that theory, though.

 

[furbabymum]

So are geese an ok thing to have with a very small child. Think 1 year old child. My husband is anti goose because he was chased as a child and thinks they are a danger to children.

 

[zooweemama]

So are geese an ok thing to have with a very small child. Think 1 year old child. My husband is anti goose because he was chased as a child and thinks they are a danger to children.

I think as with any animal you have to look at the animals needs- if you can properly meet them so they can live a happy healthy life with you. After you have established that you can indeed meet their care requirements- then you start to research the animals behaviors. How it behaves, why it behaves the way it does and if there is anything you can do create a nice calm environment for that animal.

For example- ducks. Messy, kinda loud, can scratch if a child tries to pick them up (assuming the duck doesn't run first which is more likely), no pointy sharp beaks. If abused, poor diet, poor nutrition, scaring it constantly, kids throwing things at them or constantly running at them...that will honestly generally terrify chickens or geese or ducks and a lot of other animals and as they get bigger...some animals are prone to 'fighting back' to protect themselves. I think Geese can be like that. Ducks seem to to generally run (except drakes during mating season). All the various birds get sassy if you try to mess with their nests, eggs and young if they are brooding on in the middle of mating season.

If you research Geese- you can decide if you can provide it a proper home/room/food/safe environment/protection against predators. Then learn about their characteristics. Geese from goslings carefully handraised- you have to do the research though so you know what that is- from everything I have read make wonderful pets even with young children. Most of the accounts of 'mean' geese are if YOU are a stranger to that goose and you are encroaching on THEIR territory or making them feel threatened (maybe gander's mate is nearby on her nest etc)...or even if they are your geese and you walk up to a mama and her goslings and don't respect her space...her mate or even she may rush and hiss at you. (i read a lot haha) And honestly a lot of animals can get testy...even cats. So if you know more about them- you know how to train your kids to be around them.

Cats are hundred times more vicious that a goose. Those claws are horrible on a toddler. But we train them not to pull their tail, or throw toys at them etc you know? Healthy respect for the animals and their needs and teach our kids about them (I have 4 kids aged 10 to 3) and you can have geese or ducks or chickens and other types of animals.

 

[Oregon Blues]

[[[[[...........There have been rumors that the distilled corn by products used in manufactured feed is causing damage to waterfowl. .....]]]]]]

No hard fact scientific studies to prove it yet, but word of mouth is that it is not all distiller's grains. It is the distiller's grains leftover from making ethanol. The distiller's grains from beer and liquor making have been fed to livestock for centuries with no bad effects. It is only waterfowl that are having a reaction. Chickens aren't affected.

 

[ChristineR]

[[[[[...........There have been rumors that the distilled corn by products used in manufactured feed is causing damage to waterfowl. .....]]]]]]

No hard fact scientific studies to prove it yet, but word of mouth is that it is not all distiller's grains. It is the distiller's grains leftover from making ethanol. The distiller's grains from beer and liquor making have been fed to livestock for centuries with no bad effects. It is only waterfowl that are having a reaction. Chickens aren't affected.

What kind of damage / reaction? That's interesting that it would be from making ethanol. Isn't corn used to produce ethanol? I wonder what would be the difference.

 

[Lollipop]

Goodness, I am getting so excited about the possibility of getting geese! (thank you to the member who offered me a few...what a kind & generous offer!

).

My DH will be retiring next year, and I have a lot of time to think on this and figure out how geese would fit in. I do have 3 house dogs that are not very chicken friendly...I would want to allow the geese to range as much as possible, and I need to figure out how I can do that with the dogs. I have a 7 acre pasture that's surrounded in hotwire. Can geese be kept inside hotwire? I'd have to see them get zapped, but if they could learn to respect the hotwire, they'd have a huge field they could live in (of course, I'd have a place for them to go at night - could probably make an entrance into one of the stalls in the barn & they could just come & go as they wanted).

My geese have always freeranged, even during hurricanes. I got my first geese when in FL and they were constantly doing laps around the house and down to the pond. Then my horticulturist neighbor decided to attach orchids to his palm trees. Beautifull, except they were head high for a goose. They quickly discovered the orchids and the neighbor was quite upset with me and them. I strung up a hot wire and put an end to it. After a week, I took it down and they were fine. Just tho't you'd like to know..........Pop