I have the chance to get 4 new geese Saturday evening if I want them. I have the room as well as a pen and house to quarentine them in. I have one existing goose, Lola. Her mate, Charlie, died a short time ago thus the reason for the new geese.
So will Lola hang out with these new geese? She was not super bonded to Charlie, she hung out with him but she hung out with the ducks too and still does. She didnt seem to get that upset with Charlie being gone, She looked for him for a few days in the mornings when she is first let out but now she seems perfectly content.
Also what would be the best mix and ratio to get? I have the choice of 4 out of 10 African and Toulouse that range in ages from 1-10 years. There are sexes of both breeds and the people dont care who goes, they are just having a hard time wintering 10 geese and would like to rehome a few. Im sure some of them are bonded pairs, trios or whatever. Im not really familliar with either of thoes breeds so I have no clue what to expect as far as temperment and such goes.
Also how are these breeds going to do as far as foraging go? I have a small field that has a few strands of electric wire around it that has kept Lola, Charlie and larger ducks contained in the past that I plan on enlarging. Charlie and Lola ate very little feed prefering to graze. Can I expect these breeds to be the same way? I have no clue how they are contained now or what type of foraging options they have now, the lady said that they stay in their fence, are easily contained and will let you herd them into their house in the evening.
I am also wondering what to feed them for the winter as they will be away from all of the other birds and not eating the chicken ration like Lola does. I am pretty much limited to what is available at Tractor Supply but want to make sure that I am feeding them correctly. I know that there is no waterfowl type feed available, I have looked for it before. I also feed lots of leafy lettuce in the winter months.
Anyone?
So will Lola hang out with these new geese? She was not super bonded to Charlie, she hung out with him but she hung out with the ducks too and still does. She didnt seem to get that upset with Charlie being gone, She looked for him for a few days in the mornings when she is first let out but now she seems perfectly content.
Also what would be the best mix and ratio to get? I have the choice of 4 out of 10 African and Toulouse that range in ages from 1-10 years. There are sexes of both breeds and the people dont care who goes, they are just having a hard time wintering 10 geese and would like to rehome a few. Im sure some of them are bonded pairs, trios or whatever. Im not really familliar with either of thoes breeds so I have no clue what to expect as far as temperment and such goes.
Also how are these breeds going to do as far as foraging go? I have a small field that has a few strands of electric wire around it that has kept Lola, Charlie and larger ducks contained in the past that I plan on enlarging. Charlie and Lola ate very little feed prefering to graze. Can I expect these breeds to be the same way? I have no clue how they are contained now or what type of foraging options they have now, the lady said that they stay in their fence, are easily contained and will let you herd them into their house in the evening.
I am also wondering what to feed them for the winter as they will be away from all of the other birds and not eating the chicken ration like Lola does. I am pretty much limited to what is available at Tractor Supply but want to make sure that I am feeding them correctly. I know that there is no waterfowl type feed available, I have looked for it before. I also feed lots of leafy lettuce in the winter months.
Anyone?
