Hi all! I'm new to geese (just got ducks this easter) and am getting 3 embdens goslings at the end of this month! I have been stalking the geese threads trying to learn as much as possible before they come!
Here are my questions:
1. Can i eventually house my geese with my larger ducks?
- i have read that geese can sometimes pick on ducks but i was curious if that would still happen if the geese are younger? They will live next to/with (when a little older) my (going to be 6 week) runners in the garage but i was hoping to eventually house them down on the beach with my other ducks when they are fully feathered.
2. If they live along side of the runners from day one will they think they are ducks?
- i know they would imprint on each other first but could they potentially end up imprinting on the runners? With runners not being as cold hardy they will not live with the other ducks so could that be a problem for the geese if they become attached?
3. (If so) Should I worry about the (one) male goose trying to mate with my ducks and hurting them?
4. If i get lucky and have both ganders brooding next spring will all three geese help raise the goslings or will i need to separate them?
5. How cold hardy are they really?
- i live in southern Illinois and this past winter temps got down to -10 *F windchill with about a foot of snow. We plan to have a winter pen full of straw built in under the deck so being against the house will help keep it warmer but is it likely that ill need some sort of heat lamp or heater as well?
6. Is it realistic to think they could help protect our flock?
- we live on a 7 acre lake that gets a lot of wild birds passing through in the winter. So far we have not had any problems with the handful of Canadians on the lake but we were worried that when more come in they might fight with our ducks. We were hoping that having three large geese could help that situation but it is just useless?
I truly appreciate any and all answers/advice!
Thank you!
Here are my questions:
1. Can i eventually house my geese with my larger ducks?
- i have read that geese can sometimes pick on ducks but i was curious if that would still happen if the geese are younger? They will live next to/with (when a little older) my (going to be 6 week) runners in the garage but i was hoping to eventually house them down on the beach with my other ducks when they are fully feathered.
2. If they live along side of the runners from day one will they think they are ducks?
- i know they would imprint on each other first but could they potentially end up imprinting on the runners? With runners not being as cold hardy they will not live with the other ducks so could that be a problem for the geese if they become attached?
3. (If so) Should I worry about the (one) male goose trying to mate with my ducks and hurting them?
4. If i get lucky and have both ganders brooding next spring will all three geese help raise the goslings or will i need to separate them?
5. How cold hardy are they really?
- i live in southern Illinois and this past winter temps got down to -10 *F windchill with about a foot of snow. We plan to have a winter pen full of straw built in under the deck so being against the house will help keep it warmer but is it likely that ill need some sort of heat lamp or heater as well?
6. Is it realistic to think they could help protect our flock?
- we live on a 7 acre lake that gets a lot of wild birds passing through in the winter. So far we have not had any problems with the handful of Canadians on the lake but we were worried that when more come in they might fight with our ducks. We were hoping that having three large geese could help that situation but it is just useless?
I truly appreciate any and all answers/advice!
Thank you!
