Goose lovers – please help!!

[psue]

What state are you in? We're getting lots of hay just now. I think we've got about 500+ big square bales of prarie hay. If it keeps raining a bit, we'll maybe get alfalfa soon.

We're over in MO just NE of Kansas City. the rain goes north and and south of us... we've only seen enough to settle the dust once since May.

ok, wrote up the feed page again. Its mostly from memory and thanks to sue keeping my notes i sent her before i was able to add those in too. I did change a few things in the notes too Sue from when I gave them to you. The added whole grains vary a little depending on my mood, grain prices when we get delivered (back orders) and i think they enjoy some variety.

we had strong fertility, super healthy feathering, and good weight on everyone from last year to current using the base feed of mazuri and adding the grains to it.

nothing is an exact, but this is what works for us, we pasture all day every day, 7 days a week year round as well since we have grass year round.

I'll make sure to read up on that.

Thank you for the info, another thing I was wondering about and since you live in sunny Fl. and have green grass year round maybe you can't help me, but during the coldest time of the year, usually Dec. thru. Jan is it okay to give small amounts of grassy hay to the flock? I saw some at TSC last winter but never got any. I have my printed page so will be ready with my list when i go for feed this week. Do others of ya'll who live in middle north ward offer grassy hay during cold weather?

We feed hay and give them enough to have something to walk on in the winter. I know I wouldn't want to stand on our cold ground all day. They appear to enjoy playing in it as well.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Miss. Lydia, ducsk love arugula. Iain likes to feed little green snacks too, she got me offering other stuff to my babies. I have grass, but its browning due to drought here in Kansas. I'm still offering alfalfa, but only 1 c. on top for large pans, and less for smaller. Some like it, some don't.

I'm about to go get some BOSS and hit my BBrother up for a load of oats.

Thanks Marty for spelling it right, i was having a time with it. I have a feeling they are the ones who ate it, my gander is very picky about what he eats. Next time I get some I'll have more time to stand and watch them but I can't imagine my ducks turning down anything. LOL Hard to be thinking about what to feed during cold weather but it will be here before we know it and I would like to be ready.

 

[Iain Utah]

Last winter, I fed my ganders (who free range 24/7) horse quality grass hay with whole kernel corn & rolled oats. If given a choice, geese will not eat alfalfa. They do not like the taste of it. They prefer timothy, orchard, clover and bromegrass.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Last winter, I fed my ganders (who free range 24/7) horse quality grass hay with whole kernel corn & rolled oats. If given a choice, geese will not eat alfalfa. They do not like the taste of it. They prefer timothy, orchard, clover and bromegrass.

Thanks Ian, I will start looking now.

 

[ultasol]

I live where we have mild winters. I like to make little 'huts' out in their paddocks of quality grass hay covered in tarps. They can sit inside it and graze. They like these more than their 'fancy' shelters (run in and sheds). I don't think these would work with those with severe winter climates. I offer quality game bird maintenance year round, and free choice wheat... as well as pasture during the day. Geese need greens and grass.

Domestic Geese and Ducks by Paul P Ives, which is an old book and out of print, is an invaluable resource if you want to raise geese. Second best goose book is David Holderreads book on geese. Both are excellent resources.

I believe being successful with a breed like the toulouse is a process- I've had them four years now (I believe) and I've learned more and become a better steward for my gaggle each year. I adore them. There is no breed like them. They are a huge commitment and a joy. They will eat you out of house and home and you will love them for it. Toulouse are amazing birds.

 

[ultasol]

PS, my geese also will not touch alfalfa or alfalfa pellets no matter how leafy the hay. Ducks, however, love it. Clover is another matter- they adore that.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Always interesting to read what others feed, and how they deal with their climate.

Will stay away from game bird feed here personally. Not worth the wing issues with such high protein levels.

 

[Goose and Fig]

The "game feed' I use is actually 12% protein. I like it because its solid seed- millet, oats, wheat, BOS, etc. Plus vitamin and mineral supplements including niacin.
Some people call it rooster booster. 50 pounds is $11.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Lol Amy I just responded to you on the other thread. Rooster booster I have seen, wouldn't call it a game bird though because the protein is so low.

 

[Iain Utah]

Here are a couple of brand new pics. The two greys on the end are one of the two available juvenile pairs.


Here is a shot of the other available grey juvenile girl. She is the one in center closest to me: