Geese and Southwest or western climates?

[nao57]

So I'd been wondering if any particular goose breed is better for southwest or western US climates where there's not a lot of water? Land west of the Mississippi river tributary systems tends to have yellow grass and vegetation much of the year. There's less water. Geese ware wonderful for food efficiency but I wonder if a certain type is better for these low water AZ, NV, CO style climates?

Thanks for any thoughts or suggestions on this.

 

[Goosebaby]

From what I know there is no hot weather drought tolerant breed.

They will need somewhere that’s shaded during the day and a constant supply of water, a baby pool that’s regularly cleaned and some buckets will suffice, though keep in mind geese are heavily feathered, on especially hot days they may need a fan.
I’m in California, summers days on average range between 89 - 102, on days 99 degrees and up my geese start to struggle with the heat and I have to make sure they’re somewhere shady with fresh water. If they have any underlying health issue it just makes things worse, if they have caught mycoplasma the heat brings it out and you’ll have respiratory and other issues to deal with also.

They’ll need a decent feed, especially if there isn’t any fresh forage for them too.

 

[nao57]

From what I know there is no hot weather drought tolerant breed.

They will need somewhere that’s shaded during the day and a constant supply of water, a baby pool that’s regularly cleaned and some buckets will suffice, though keep in mind geese are heavily feathered, on especially hot days they may need a fan.
I’m in California, summers days on average range between 89 - 102, on days 99 degrees and up my geese start to struggle with the heat and I have to make sure they’re somewhere shady with fresh water. If they have any underlying health issue it just makes things worse, if they have caught mycoplasma the heat brings it out and you’ll have respiratory and other issues to deal with also.

They’ll need a decent feed, especially if there isn’t any fresh forage for them too.

Thank you very much.

I don't know much about mycoplasma. I'll have to look that up.

Thank you.

 

[Goosebaby]

Thank you very much.

I don't know much about mycoplasma. I'll have to look that up.

Thank you.

Mycoplasma is nasty, some like MS and MG can cause leg issues, upper respiratory issues, and airsacculitis, others strains can cause reproductive issues. It’s nasty stuff.

 

[JRies]

So I'd been wondering if any particular goose breed is better for southwest or western US climates where there's not a lot of water? Land west of the Mississippi river tributary systems tends to have yellow grass and vegetation much of the year. There's less water. Geese ware wonderful for food efficiency but I wonder if a certain type is better for these low water AZ, NV, CO style climates?

Thanks for any thoughts or suggestions on this.

I raise Africans in Colorado with the drought its been a fixable challenge. Start your babies out liking hay Give them a shallow tub of water you change out everyday kiddo pool works I use concrete mixing trays and then give them a shallow pond to play in every few days. Water algae fast so I dont have a permit pond. There feet do tend to callus a bit more. I also have a barley patch I keep watered for them but most of my land is dirt and brush. I have no trees on my land so I created shade tables with shading cloth on top. I do have to admit I have envy every time I see a picture of a goose standing on green grass

 

[Iain Utah]

Certain breeds to better than others in the heat. My top three for warmer weather would be Africans (well-bred), cotton patch, and sebbies. While not a goose, another fun bird that does very well in the heat is a muscovy duck.

I have mister type sprinklers on my flower bed along front of house, that also happens to get shaded in the heat of day. So, when it gets extra hot here, my geese will line up along flower bed fence and sleep in the mister in the shade for cooling.

 

[nao57]

I raise Africans in Colorado with the drought its been a fixable challenge. Start your babies out liking hay Give them a shallow tub of water you change out everyday kiddo pool works I use concrete mixing trays and then give them a shallow pond to play in every few days. Water algae fast so I dont have a permit pond. There feet do tend to callus a bit more. I also have a barley patch I keep watered for them but most of my land is dirt and brush. I have no trees on my land so I created shade tables with shading cloth on top. I do have to admit I have envy every time I see a picture of a goose standing on green grass

I'm so curious about what you are doing.

Are you implying barley grass in the yard would last longer, and endure more than just normal yard grass? Is that a better strategy then? In a southwest dry climate, maybe barley would do better than plain grass... ?

And by calluses did you mean having absesses on feet, or just normal scarring?

I have had trouble with ponds also, though right now I'm doing just ducks. They get it so dirty that its not worth a long term pool. (I haven't done geese yet but want to in future).

Thank you very much for your comment. The answer to knowing people with similar climates to mine can do this makes it a lot easier.

 

[nao57]

Certain breeds to better than others in the heat. My top three for warmer weather would be Africans (well-bred), cotton patch, and sebbies. While not a goose, another fun bird that does very well in the heat is a muscovy duck.

I have mister type sprinklers on my flower bed along front of house, that also happens to get shaded in the heat of day. So, when it gets extra hot here, my geese will line up along flower bed fence and sleep in the mister in the shade for cooling.

Thanks. I'm in Utah also.

I've heard good things about cotton patch. I'm glad you mentioned them. Although for africans, they are bigger right? So is 1 african like 2 of the smaller geese breeds in terms of calculating number of birds per land?

Thanks.

 

[nao57]

Mycoplasma is nasty, some like MS and MG can cause leg issues, upper respiratory issues, and airsacculitis, others strains can cause reproductive issues. It’s nasty stuff.

Do ducks also get mycoplasma? Or is that only geese?

Thanks.

 

[JRies]

I'm so curious about what you are doing.

Are you implying barley grass in the yard would last longer, and endure more than just normal yard grass? Is that a better strategy then? In a southwest dry climate, maybe barley would do better than plain grass... ?

And by calluses did you mean having absesses on feet, or just normal scarring?

I have had trouble with ponds also, though right now I'm doing just ducks. They get it so dirty that its not worth a long term pool. (I haven't done geese yet but want to in future).

Thank you very much for your comment. The answer to knowing people with similar climates to mine can do this makes it a lot easier.

Ok water is limited where I am so raising very forgiving Barley is the option Iv chosen I can seed a small area and keep it watered daily its also there favorite. If they eat the seed all good if they wait for the grass to appear all good. My kidos do root allot on the brush but keep the barley patch trim. Barley is 15 dollars a bag at the feed store o anyway they enjoy it its great. I also do sprout fodder for them with wheat there a little spoiled.

calluses are inevitable when there walking on hot sand and dirt. My runners have them to. there not abscesses just harden bumps on there feet just like ours when we spend to much time barefoot. Bumble foot dose happen in brush areas but walk your property check the weeds that are growing if the have thorns or are goat heads rip them out. I actually spray every spring and still find a few growing. Bumble foot is caused by a sore usually something they walked on and it infects. Wood splinter thorn ect.

I stopped giving my runners ponds a long time ago. with them the concrete mixing tubs work great. Fresh water every morning and fresh mud when I pour them out. Enough water to bath and for the boys to do there job. My runners though have never liked deep water to swim in. Keep in mind geese do not destroy water like ducks do and are not as messy. My best way to explain that is there more regale and also more demanding. Not as Cuddly but much more interactive.

I love my geese wouldn't triad them in for anything. That being said It breeding season and just have to remember that's only a few months a year.

I hope I answered ok what you needed to know.