How to introduce a goose to your chickens?

[MrsBarefoot]

I've been thinking about getting a goose. I've heard/read that they're a good addition to help with predators. I've also read that it's best to raise them together in order for them to get along well. Our feathery family will be a year old in March.
Is it too late to introduce them to one?
If not, how should we introduce?
If we do get one, is it best to get goose young?

Thanks!

 

[sylviethecochin]

I've heard/read that they're a good addition to help with predators.

They're sort of like roosters. Loud alarm systems, but they're probably not going to chase off anything bigger or fiercer than a small-sized dog.

I've also read that it's best to raise them together in order for them to get along well. Our feathery family will be a year old in March. Is it too late to introduce them to one?

The problem is that geese are quite capable of defending themselves, but by the time they get to that point, they're usually big enough that if they don't like the chickens, they can cause some damage. So you're not going to be able to just toss a baby or adult goose in with a lot of chickens and expect everything to go right. You can introduce them, but you'll have to have a strategy. And I wouldn't get just one; geese like other geese for company. I would get two, preferably female, because they're less likely to be human-aggressive, and they're quieter.

If we do get one, is it best to get goose young?

I would. Geese are some of the friendliest animals, if they're hand-raised. And that way, you can raise them beside the chickens, in a see-don't-touch pen.

All that said, Geese are loud. This is somewhat variable by breed, but a goose can be just as noisy as a guinea if he's in the mood. They produce poop easily twice the size of a golf-ball, on a regular basis, and they can shoot it out several feet. They're playful, and can be pretty destructive to a garden. They will eat cabbages, young corn plants, lettuce, brussels sprouts, beans, etc. And if they don't like the taste, they might just rip it out and leave it lay. There are stories on here about geese taking apart waterers, ripping up boxes left in the yard, etc.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/goose-shenanigans.1340716/

 

[Alaskan]

I had a flock of geese for one summer... 5 or 6 of them... they were fantastic. They did an excellent job of keeping the grass trimmed, and of creating a daily carpet of poo over the walkway to our front door..

The flock was big enough that I had zero predation... which was crazy awesome. They were secured at night, but not during the day.

They HATED my chickens,but since my chickens were always cooped up, that was fine.

I ate them in the fall.

 

[Mrs. K]

I was chased badly by geese as a kid - ugh!

 

[Jmiller89]

We tried putting a goose in with older chickens. Two things went wrong. First goose was brooded with guineas so it liked the guineas (we found this was a good way to keep a small group of guineas from wondering off. They followed the goose like it was their mother). Second the goose was smaller then the chickens when we first introduced and the chickens attacked and chased the goose. Tables eventually turned when the goose got bigger then the chicken was and then would bite the butts of any chicken that got close enough. Also from what I’ve seen the goose makes a lot of noise but when push comes to shove it’s the biggest chicken out there.

 

[MrsBarefoot]

Thank you so much everyone for responding!!! We will continue to think about it.

I did not know about the size of their poop

 

[Alaskan]

Thank you so much everyone for responding!!! We will continue to think about it.

I did not know about the size of their poop

It isn't really the size as much as the quantity... truly a carpet of poo....

But, least expensive meat I have ever raised.

 

[3xhhheather]

Thank you so much everyone for responding!!! We will continue to think about it.

I did not know about the size of their poop

If it helps it’s really not smelly as they’re 99% vegetarian