HELP! I am obsessed! (Looking to maybe get a first duck/goose)

[beautifulface]

Hey all.

I have been bitten with the bird bug and it's not going away!

I'm nineteen, and have been smitten with the horse bug for the past six years, and recently this past year I have suddenly been obsessed with birds, mainly Geese and Ducks. I think I'm crazy. LOL.

I am on the fence about either wanting a Duck or a Goose. I have been trying to convince my parents to let me get one but they're still arguing no.

We do live in the city. With a tall fenced yard on all four sides. I'm planning, if this happens of course, on this to be an indoor pet, if I get one. Incubating an egg, because I would like the experience of an imprinted baby.

It would be my responsibility. I have a lot of free time aside from work, with nothing really to do at the moment and I think this would be a fun experience.

We have two small dogs, but they have always been sweet to other dogs and our old cat, Sammy when we had him before he passed away. We also have a small parrotlet, Tinker, that has free run of the house and both him and our dogs don't seem to mind each other.

I've been doing a lot of research this past year, on and off again about Ducks/Geese, not surprisingly I haven't been able to find a lot of information on keeping them as pets.

I did however, recently find 'The Goose Mother'; the woman who invented the Duck Diaper. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with those? I'm planning on buying her book here in the next couple of weeks.

My parent's main concern is it being messy. (And loud) We do have wood flooring, so I'm think that it would be an easy clean-up if we did have any accidents outside of a diaper.

So, questions I guess.

1. Duck or a Goose?
I have heard a multiple of different things. I know both are equally intelligent and fun loving. Though Geese seem to have a bad rap for being temperamental around humans. I'm looking for a breed with an even, sweet temperament. Quiet (or just not overly loud). Friendly.

2. I have read somewhere that Pekin Ducks cannot fly. Does anyone know if that is true or not? Are there any other breeds that are not capable of flight? How are they around people? I would feel a bit safer if knew the breed of duck/goose was not capable of flying.

3. Does anyone have any experiences with anything from the Goose Mother site?

4. And does anyone have experience with an indoor pet goose/duck. If so, could you please share?

I would appreciate it,

Thanks all!

 

[charlindabob]

Hi, since you live in the city, noise WILL most likely be a problem. If you really want a duck or goose, might I suggest a Muscovy? If you hatch from an egg, you can pinion it when one day old (research this and find somone in your area if you are not capable of doing this) and they cannot fly. Muscovies are about the friendliest duck, they do not honk or quack (close neighbors may never know you have a duck), they wag their tail, good mothers, fair egg layers and just fun to watch and be around. And, they come in several colors. Do your research, and enjoy.

 

[chickensioux]

Can't help with the goose issue. Don't have any myself but what I have been exposed to is they are kinda loud. And being large might be a problem keeping one the house
I do have muscovies and can say they are my sweetest ducks. They are quiet too. I love mine.
Call ducks are miniature (bantum) ducks and would be easier to keep in the house but the females are very loud.
Pekins are sweet but large as well and from what I understand don't fly (neither do khakis)
Overall, all ducks are very messy. Eating, pooping, dabbling mess makers but I wouldn't trade mine for the world.
Good luck on making a decision. There is nothing cuter than a baby duck!

 

[LoreenH]

In doing research on having ducks, the best book I came across for people wanting pet ducks is 'The Ultimate Pet Duck Guide'. When I get ducks they won't be indoors, but will still be pets. This book told me a lot more than other books in that it's geared towards people who want them as pets, not just egg layers or for eating.
The only place that has it so far is majesticwaterfowl.org.

Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks is another good resource book for general information on ducks.

 

[rainplace]

First off

I think getting either is a very good idea, but first consider a few things. Since I recently rescued a pet goose from the humane society, I'm seeing first hand some of the problems that a goose can have later in life if a person can no longer care for it once it's been made to think it's human.

They live a fairly long time, and if you come to a point in your life where you can no longer care for it, who will? It's not a like a dog where having been kept inside makes it desirable. You'll be making a duck or goose that is potentially afraid of it's own kind.

Geese and large ducks have large wing spans. They can easily knock everything off a coffee table with their wings. Even if they can't fly, they like to give them a good flap... a stretching out. (I just learned how big they actually are in regards to how I keep everything arranged in my house!)

Geese have serrated bills. They can really hurt... they can draw blood. This rescue goose isn't trying to hurt me, he's just nibbling, exploring with his bill like birds do. Keep that in mind.

Sheesh, I've taken so long to write this since I'm doing so many other things that I lost my train of thought!

I'm so happy that you've come here to learn more before jumping into it. I love geese, they are big though, and can be loud, though I've found that my ducks are noisier over the course of the day, but when my geese do get noisy they are LOUD. They have so much personality though.

Ducks are pretty awesome also, and you have a range of sizes and colors to choose from. Since most people suggest getting at least two geese or two ducks, maybe you should go with a small duck and get two of them. That way they have each other when you're not around.

I've totally lost all sense of what I wanted to say... NEED MORE COFFEE.

Hopefully the people here that keep theirs inside will pipe up.

 

[duckboatprincess]

I'd go with a duck as opposed to a goose. They are smaller in size so they'd be better "house pets." Almost all domestic breeds cannot fly, with the exception of muscovies, mallards, and call ducks. Pekins are large birds and are known to be quite noisy. Mine isn't too bad, but she does start quacking whenever she sees me. I would go with something a bit smaller in size and possibly get a drake as opposed to a hen if you don't care about getting eggs. Males are quiter and really can't quack. They make more of a raspy hiss/grunt noise. My cayuga drake's "quack" is so quite, you can't hear it unless you're holding him. Good luck and enjoy! Ducks are a blast.

 

[rainplace]

we've had several people in here with single drake pets who have the problem of the drake trying to mate their leg...

 

[duckboatprincess]

Oh geeze! I didn't see that... I suppose I'd think again about having a male then lol...

 

[Duck Keeper]

Yeah, if you incubated an egg, you run the risk of getting an overly amorous drake (male duck), who can and will hurt you when he tries to 'hold on' to you. I would think a gander (male goose) would become EXTREMELY territorial about his 'mate,' and could potentially become dangerous.

Contact nettie on here, she has house ducks.

She should be able to help you out easily.