GEESE EXPERTS LOOK HERE! I NEED OUR HELP!

[Ramblin Rooster]

Hi I am interested in getting a pair of pilgrim geese to keep on my property, mostly because they would look lovely wandering around my lawn, and also because I heard they deter daytime predators. I live on a 2 acre property in connecticut, and have a 4 stall horse barn, one for chickens, one for sheep, one for storage, and one still vacant. I was thinking I would let them free range during the day, and then lock them up with the chickens at night, or give them a doghouse of something of that effect. I would like to know the following:

1. Will they stay nearby on my property and come back at night?
2. Will they stay out of trouble and stay out of the neighbors yards? Will they need any special care like wing clippings, feedings, housing, etc.??
3. Are pilgrim a good breed for free range and for pets and child friendly? Any other breeds you can suggest?
4. Would I be able to breed pilgrims easily without an incubator, brooder, etc.??
5. Would they be safe from coyotes, fox, hawks, etc. during the daytime?
6. Do they get along with chickens?
7. What do they eat?
8. Do they NEED a source of water? (would a 35 gallon stock tank work)

THANK YOU AND HAPPY GEESE-KEEPING!!

 

[larkflying]

If you look on the geese page, there are several posts about overall goose care that cover all the basics!

But in short:

1. Will they stay nearby on my property and come back at night?

Mine tend to wander quite a bit, but they do always go back to their "home" area. They are used to their fence and even when we are working outside they will put themselves inside it because that is where they feel safe. HOwever, they will cross the road to the neighbors without hesitation.

2. Will they stay out of trouble and stay out of the neighbors yards? Will they need any special care like wing clippings, feedings, housing, etc.??

This question requires several pages ! See those other posts, but the brief response is that they are hardy happy birds -- they need a kiddie swimming pools so they can stay clean, shelter from heat and wind and freezing temperatures in the winter, and fencing to protect against stray dogs / coyotes. They require flock raiser or water fowl feed, lots and lots of grass, grit, and lots of fresh water. Your barn shelter at night sounds ideal.

3. Are pilgrim a good breed for free range and for pets and child friendly? Any other breeds you can suggest?

Pilgrims are wonderful birds, as are American Buff - they are down as some of the quietest, most friendly breeds, but you should know that geese are active at night, and even the quietest breeds feel like they need to have noisy conversations at midnight. Be aware of how close they are to the neighbors. There are a lot of breed comparison threads that have suggestions.

4. Would I be able to breed pilgrims easily without an incubator, brooder, etc.??

Some geese are better parents than others, and you'll just have to see what yours are like. But, most likely, yes . . . Only one of my female geese has reliably hatched out goslings -- but the others have all gone broody and tried to. They all love to take care of goslings - whether their own, or extras from the feed store . . .

5. Would they be safe from coyotes, fox, hawks, etc. during the daytime?

They will need fencing. Without my fencing, I would have lost my geese to stray dogs, or coyotes within the first year (during the day and at night). I have quite a few eagle pairs, hawks, etc around, and I have not lost any birds, however, they have cover to get under if they see a flying predator. Once this spring a crippled hawk attacked one of my nesting geese, but she survived, and we moved her into a safer spot. I think it only tried because it was crippled with a club foot and could not find its normal prey. I know others have had more serious problems with raptors attacking their birds though. Stray dogs are my biggest concern -- they can happen any time and can kill the whole flock just for fun.

6. Do they get along with chickens?

Sometimes. Mine ignored the chickens. Some people have problems with them harassing the chickens if there isn't enough space in the yard. They will not protect the chickens.

7. What do they eat?

Grass - 90% of their diet. Flock raiser or waterfowl feed supplement every day. Various vegetable scraps for treats. Grit. Niacin supplement if needed.

8. Do they NEED a source of water? (would a 35 gallon stock tank work)

YES! They have to have water - deep enough to wash their whole heads and necks in. A bucket would work. A kiddie swimming pool or two is better! The water needs to be changed frequently, and they need more water during the summer when it is hot. More water / deeper water is fun for them, but the kiddie pools fill the need, and are easy to clean/empty when it is hot.

Other posts have lots more information, photos, details, and information about all of these questions - so keep researching. We love the geese and they are a great addition to any farm! We find them easy to care for - a lot easier than chickens - and much more amusing.