Goose Breeds for Big Family

[MeganFair]

Hello! I'm looking at getting some geese to add to my flock. I'm thinking of getting a pair or trio to breed some meat birds. I have a large family (three adults, five children) and we're doing the whole homesteading thing. I already have some ducks, but geese look like they'll be a nice addition even if I just get a couple to have them around the yard to help with weeding.

I'm looking for a breed that's a good weeder with a calm disposition. I have three children who are 6 years of age and under, and the ideal goose would more or less leave the kids alone if not tend towards being friendly enough for them to pet. I've already read that ganders in the breeding season will need to be handled with care, and tips for helping the little ones be able to handle an uppity bird would be appreciated as well. Reputable breeders and any general husbandry tips would be a plus. Thank you!

 

[cottontail farm]

I have a trio of African geese and they're certainly large enough for meat. As for the kid's though, even though the geese are fine with me if my son is doing chores with me (he's 3) I'm always between the geese and him as a precaution. It's not that they're agressive necessarily but they're bigger than him with beaks at face level and they are animals. . Keeping geese is a bit like keeping bees in that you just need to respect natural behavior.
HOWEVER I made no effort to have them imprint on me when they were babies so I don't know if that would make a difference or not.

 

[MeganFair]

@cottontail farm Thanks! I don’t let my littlest ones around the ducks unsurpervised anyway for their safety and for the ducks. Lilly and Zoey are small for their age, so even at six and four, I could see my drake giving them what-for and it not ending well. I’d like animals that they could interact with in a controlled manner, and more docile ones would give me more peace of mind that I can control the situation.

So, I’ve seen a lot about imprinting, and I understand what that is, but why is this a big deal with geese? I have absolutely no experience with geese, and only a limited amount with ducks.