Getting geese for first time in spring

[KayElle]

I have a couple of questions: what type of feed is used when goslings arrive and are brooded? What type of feed is used in winter to supplement for loss of grass? And do geese return to roost at night as easily as chickens do?

 

[Pyxis]

Congrats on the geese!

I used purina Flock Raiser for their feed when they are young, and you can feed it to them their entire lives, no need to switch to another feed when they're older

In the winter, you could sprout fodder for them or give them a cabbage, etc.

Geese don't roost, they sleep on the ground, but when you get them used to the routine of going into the coop each night they will do it themselves once they have it down. And then they'll teach it to any new geese you have in the future, too. Mine put themselves to bed at night and the younger ones I have learned from the older one to do it on their own, so I never had to show them.

 

[KayElle]

This is so helpful thank you.

So I’ll have to train them to go back inside at night? That’s fine just want to know what to do. How difficult is that to do??

 

[Pyxis]

You're welcome!

It's not too hard, you'll just herd them in every night before you close the coop for awhile, maybe a week or so, and then they'll get the idea and start going in on their own

 

[Jennifer Cappi Williams]

I raised my geese as babies inside until a few MONTHS old. Everyday I take my geese to work with me (I work at a stable) so they are use to me picking them up and kenneling them and driving them back and forth everyday. Once the baby goose would be old enough to be able to jump out of the tall plastic container I set up for a baby goose (in front of the tv of course with toys) the baby would go out in the 'goose house". I have a tall raised coop that I have to pick them up and put them in everyday but since I fear loose dogs, I can't have them on the ground in a coop. They are kinda spoiled...

 

[KayElle]

I’m really hoping they connect to our family like this

 

[Jennifer Cappi Williams]

Pretty sure people call me "the crazy goose lady"....

 

[KayElle]

We are going to get a pilgrim pair to start!

 

[Welshies]

Hey there! Congrats.
Your best bet is duckling feed, starter from 0-3 weeks and grower from 3-14 weeks. 18% is a good protein percentage.
Do not feed chicken starter or grower. It will harm your waterfowl due to different niacin requirements.
Then afterwards, the cheapest feed is an 16-22% maintenece feed (all flock or waterfowl, duck or goose). Provide oystershell on the side for calcium. Why maintenence vs layer? Well, layer feed is designed for laying birds. Geese are seasonal layers, so feeding lay feed to non-laying birds can be harmful. If you have a gander, laying feed can harm him. Maintence feed is cheaper and safe for ALL birds, and if you provide oystershell on the side, instead of layer feed, they can eat the calcium and lay at their leisure.
Geese do not roost.
In winter when they can not graze or find their own food you can feed table scraps like fruits and vegetables. Avoid bad, spoiled food, or avocados, potato peels, and chocolate.
How many are you getting? What kind of living arrangement will they have? Will they be on a pond? Will they be sexed?

 

[Pyxis]

Your best bet is duckling feed, starter from 0-3 weeks and grower from 3-14 weeks. 18% is a good protein percentage.
Do not feed chicken starter or grower. It will harm your waterfowl due to different niacin requirements.

Unfortunately most people do not have access to a feed that is specifically for ducklings. Flock Raiser was designed to work for ducklings, goslings, and many other types of poultry.

Chick starter isn't harmful, you just need to add a niacin supplement to it. As long as you add niacin, such as in the form of Brewer's Yeast, it's fine to use.