Geese with kids?

[chickboss]

Okay, so I have been hearing, well reading, about how good geese can be good at protecting a flock of ducks. And truth is I like geese or at least the idea of one. But I hear they can be agressive and the last thing I would want is for one of my children to be outright attacked by a over-protective goose. Still, I would like to free range my ducks at least some of the time and like the idea of a big protective bird. My girls are 6 and 4. I am thinking this is an idea that may have to wait until they are older, but I am getting an order of ducklings in on the 3rd of May, and thought of raising a goose with them. On the fence. Thanks for any advice.

 

[Barred Rocks forever]

around goose breeding season u may have to pen your goose or your goose is a sisssy and when ever u flap your arms he runs lol i hear cotton patch geese are being breed for friendlyness

 

[noahsgeese]

I believe that almost any female goose will be friendly! But for 6 and 4 I have to fight my gander a lot! And he is very mean! I have Embdens.

Hope this helps!

noahsgeese

 

[gwennym]

I'd be concerned during breeding season, as was already mentioned. My female, Miss Goose (yeah, I know, not an original name!) has a nest that she's protecting very well, even though the eggs aren't fertile (she hasn't accepted my new Toulouse gander as her boyfriend yet). She hisses and makes quite a commotion if the ducks or I come anywhere near her and/or her nest. She's come pretty close to pinching me, and I outweigh her by AT LEAST 200 lbs!! Otherwise, I'm really enjoying having a couple of geese hang out with my Pekins. I also have Muskovys, but they do their own thing.

Gwen

 

[noahsgeese]

During breeding season then our female is a little mean but not very!

 

[goosedragon]

Quote:
I would wait, I loved having geese but anytime kids would visit someone would get chased and/or bit. When I grew up we had a flock of chickens ruled over by a Black Jersey Giant Rooster that put the fear of chickens into me and I won't have chickens on my place to this day. BTW the goose isn't that good at protecting except against Owls and Hawks!

 

[chickboss]

Thanks for all the responses. LOL, still on the fence a little. Sounds like is should be a girl if I get one. Protection against hawks may be worth it alone. Kids know not to bother a broody anything.

Goosedragon~were your geese used to kids other than visits? Do you think it would make a difference? My kids are monitored constantly and have learned how to properly handle our avian friends, so the goose wouldn't be mishandled. Still thinking... we could isolate in the spring if goosey is being cranky. But do I want to deal with it....

While I'm thinking are there any breeds I should consider above others?

 

[vicki2x2]

First, you should get two, geese like to be with their own kind, same as most species, but definitely get females. There are some breeds that are less aggressive. I hear sebs & pilgrims are pretty dolcile.

 

[chickboss]

Quote:
I was wondering about that... Will they still hang out with the ducks if there are two of them or will they just do their own thing?

 

[ultasol]

I would get two females, if you are going to do this. Honestly, if it were my children I would wait until they were a little older. The thought of a four year old versus a goose is not fun. I want people to enjoy geese, which means I don't want people to be disapointed with their experience with geese. I remember that I was terrified of ebing asked to go collect eggs when I was in preschool because the hens would peck. I can only imagine being faced with a honking goose.

An adult will often get more respect from chickens and geese because of our size advantage. A big goose would be just about eye level with a four year old, and that concerns me.

The more docile the goose is, the less protection they will be. This is the catch-22 of wanting a goose for protection that will be good with children.

My Buff American gander is a very nice bird to be around 99.9% of the time, however I got attacked by him last season. I had bruises with blood blisters on my calves from his beak and his wings, as well as bruises on my arms. For weeks I could see the imprint of the serrations on his bill on my forearms and legs. I am 5'7" and 160 lbs. I can only imagine what he could have done to a four year old. Yes, 99.9% of the time he's a doll,.. but it only takes one bad experience to cause issues.