Going to get geese, Tell me what I need to know! please!

[momof247371]

i think sebbies are B-U-T-FUL! You are so lucky to have them! I was stating that people pretty much shouldnt stereotype the birds...cause each individual is different

 

[Cottage Rose]

Sorry if I got too serious but people really do need to plan these things out.
I know...I'm a reformed "Impulse Queen".

 

[Lund121671]

GEESE are great! We have 4 breeds all kept seperately in large grass filled pens and shelter. They will choose to go in or stay out! We live in Wisconsin and most of the time the geese will be just outside the sheds provided for them, but keep in mind they are very smart and I always think owe my it is -35 below today (we had 2 days like this last winter) but when I go down and stand where they are setting there is never any wind. Fresh air is the key to any animals health and they seem to know what they need. I have NEVER locked them in at all, but have taken the time to use small wire on all fencing so things cant get in and also have electric on outsides of all pens. I hope you enjoy and the geese (if given the chance) will teach you MANY things. I just found that our geese love all of the radish tops I cut off and toss over the fence! Who would have thunk it!

 

[bossynbella]

First of all let me say thank you to everyone for the advice you told me what I need to know. They had already sold all the babies She called me yesterday and told me I could buy the mom and three males (if I would take all three males) for $25. I don't know yet. Scott's dad would take two of the males he has a big pond. But I really want friendly ones and I don't know if they would be friendly. We free range our chickens and ducks except during breeding time. At night they have half of our two stall garage so they are safe from predators the only day preditors our dogs don't chase off are hawks and I think a goose has a better chance then our chickens from them.

I really want Toulouse geese. I have always wanted that kind since I was little. I don't know why they are just what I want. I would love to have a sebbie but no way can I afford one of them. I don't like the ones with the big crests and stuff on there heads. This is the first time I have seen Toulouse advertised around here. I wish I would of been able to call sooner. Now I am not sure what to do. What if I can't find more Toulouse? Everyone around here seems to have the chinese and African and those White ones with the big knot on there head that chase people all over(well everyone I have ever met does!)

Thanks again I hope I will find some someday.
Melissa

 

[Windchyme]

Quote:

 

[kycowgirl78]

I agree with jvls, if you want geese, get geese. Everybody on this site is gonna give you their own opinion. You've now got plenty of info on the realities of owning a goose, take what you want to take from it and have a great time with your new geese. Personally, there is a white emden goose hen that has lived here on my husband's family's place since plenty before I got here. She wasn't loved on or pet or paid much attention to but she knows who throws her some horse feed on the way back to the field and she'll come up to meet me if I've got a container in my hand. So she may not come up and sit in my lap but she doesn't run in panic the other way either so I'd have to disagree that if you don't spend a lot of time with geese when they're babies that you never have a chance to make them friendly.

 

[greathorse]

Really three pounds per day? Three pounds?? Three pounds of pooop???? Literally???

 

[bossynbella]

I found someone on craigslist selling dewlap toulouse goslings for $40 each but it sounds like they will be old enough to tell if they are boys or girls. Is this a fair price? and since they are related should I get two girls?
Thanks Melissa

 

[Windchyme]

Quote:
That is an EXCELLENT price if they are purebred dewlap toulouse goslings. This year those are going for from $50-$60. If they are mixed then that is a bad price. You would need to look at some pictures of dewlaps yourself so you know what they are supposed to look like and then take a look at them and the parents if possible. If you want them for pets two girls would be excellent, males in the spring get all pumped up and act like big boogers (you know how men are LOL). If you had to have a male and didn't want them making babies you'd just take their eggs. I don't think they care one way or another as long as they have another goose to be a flock with.

BTW- I have two batches of 4 dewlap toulouse babies (just getting ready to hatch in the next 2 weeks)not yet sold then I am done done done for the season, but mine are more expensive then that. It would be $265 with shipping and everything for 4 unsexed babies sent express.

 

[BigPeep]

I got a call from our local park district last Fall that they had captured a Toulouse goose at the pond in the park across the street and wondered if I would take it. Since I was already set up to house the chickens in the Spring, ( and was up for re-election to the park district board) I agreed.

At first it was ornery but it has now settled down and I have grown quite fond of it. I named him "Toulouse". He refused to even go into the shelter (large dog house) over the Winter and just sat happily in the snow at the most exposed corner of the pen. They like open spaces. It's how they watch out for predators.

He didn't like the chickens at all at first but they are now getting along and he goes to eat their food while they go to eat the goose's food. I think he is also helping to keep the racoons out of there at night but the pen is so well secured they probably can't get in anyway.

I am now planning on getting more geese to keep him company, possibly Pilgrims, so I can tell the sexes apart, and putting him in with the sweet corn to weed it and maybe deter the racoons.

Does anyone know if one goose will be safe from a racoon attack or do I need more (a "gaggle")? Do they eat Japanese beetles?