I have ducks should I get geese?

[Cecelia Roselind]

Hi I have two beautiful welsh harlequin hens(female ducks) and I would love to get geese the two breeds that have stuck out to me most are Sebastopol and Toulouse I mostly just want a Toulouse gander but the ratios I’m thinking are going to be

1 Sebastopol gander

7 Sebastopol
geese (females)

1 Toulouse gander

3 Toulouse geese(females)

1 welsh harlequin drake

and then next year I want to get more ducks specifically more welsh harlequins and then runners,khaki Campbell,ect….

And then obviously my two welsh harlequin girls

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It can be hit and miss. My geese chase and harass my ducks during the breeding season. You do need a place that the ducks can go to get away. My ducks are muscovy so it helps they can fly a bit.

Those are nice breeds. Sebastopol are expensive. All geese are a lot more expensive to buy than they were a few years ago. I like my American buff, pilgrim, and embden. Gander generally pair up with 1-3 females. If not enough gander females will pair up and mock mate each other.

Geese are loud and rowdy during the breeding season, need grass to graze and put out a lot of poop. They are very winter hardy, and I enjoy mine.

 

[Cecelia Roselind]

It can be hit and miss. My geese chase and harass my ducks during the breeding season. You do need a place that the ducks can go to get away. My ducks are muscovy so it helps they can fly a bit.

Those are nice breeds. Sebastopol are expensive. All geese are a lot more expensive to buy than they were a few years ago. I like my American buff, pilgrim, and embden. Gander generally pair up with 1-3 females. If not enough gander females will pair up and mock mate each other.

Geese are loud and rowdy during the breeding season, need grass to graze and put out a lot of poop. They are very winter hardy, and I enjoy mine.

Ok thank you I know that I have to put out multiple feed bowls because they hog the food but what feed do they eat waterfowl feed? duck feed? Brands?

 

[Cecelia Roselind]

Oh and I’ve had ducks before my welsh harlequin girls.they were Muscovy ducks too!

 

[aimee750]

I have had ducks for 10 years and got Pilgrim geese this year. I integrated the goslings with the ducks as early as I could get them outside. As they have gotten older they don't hang out with the ducks during the day anymore but still go into the shed together at night and there haven't been any arguements yet. We will see how next spring goes. I have 6 geese and 2 ganders.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Ok thank you I know that I have to put out multiple feed bowls because they hog the food but what feed do they eat waterfowl feed? duck feed? Brands?

I feed an all flock ration with a separate bowl of oyster shells. Geese mostly eat grass and browse. In winter they do eat some hay here too, as well as the ration. Any fresh greens are quickly gobbled up.

 

[Cecelia Roselind]

I have had ducks for 10 years and got Pilgrim geese this year. I integrated the goslings with the ducks as early as I could get them outside. As they have gotten older they don't hang out with the ducks during the day anymore but still go into the shed together at night and there haven't been any arguements yet. We will see how next spring goes. I have 6 geese and 2 ganders.

Okay thank you for all the information you’ve given me so do you think 2 ganders 10 geese 2 hens 1 drake won’t cause any fights?

 

[aimee750]

You can never be sure, but I haven't had any problems yet! Sounds like reasonable numbers as long as they have a big enough space.

 

[Cecelia Roselind]

You can never be sure, but I haven't had any problems yet! Sounds like reasonable numbers as long as they have a big enough space.

Yes they do it’s huge well at least for ducks and geese I converted it from a giant goat enclosure to a giant duck enclosure and I built a pond for them its 1-2 feet deep 15-17 feet long and width is about 6-8 feet! Is that big enough for geese?

 

[Cecelia Roselind]

I feed an all flock ration with a separate bowl of oyster shells. Geese mostly eat grass and browse. In winter they do eat some hay here too, as well as the ration. Any fresh greens are quickly gobbled up.

Ok thank you do they like peas my ducks LOVE peas