I Just Ordered Geese

[Aunt Angus]

136 days!

 

[Baybrio]

Guess what? Auntie is second (or third) guessing herself again! I really am a mess...

I was reading several threads that report that many geese don't get along well with chickens. I was hoping that the 2 females I ordered will be able to live in the big pasture with the chickens and the ducks. If I introduce them as babies (it will be summer, so I can let the goslings out rather young, and I can do the "see but don't touch" thing for a long time, if needed), will they stand a better chance of getting along? They can have their own coop/house, no problem. And I can separate if needed BUT the ducks and geese will have to share the pond.

My ducks and chickens get along very well. I honestly believe my ducks think they are chickens. They hang out together, sunbathe together, eat together, sleep together...

To restate some details:
11 hens (2 bantam, the rest large)
1 rooster (bantam)
5 ducks (all ladies)
1 American Buff and 1 Toulouse (also ladies)
Ducks and chickens will have 10x10 coop
Geese will likely have a large doghouse or similar
1640 sq ft fenced yard
Approx 100 sq ft pond

ETA: I read of folks keeping their geese with their goats. I can do that, too, if the geese don't get along with the chickens. I would rather not have to do that, though. Of course.

You poor thing, for everything you read someone will say the opposite.

I'm NOT a goose expert but I kept my geese with my ducks, chickens and turkeys. MY geese kept to themselves as geese do and never bothered any other animal on the farm. They went into the same shed at night. Never a problem.

My goose who laid eggs did so by the garage door. I moved a dog igloo to that spot, added a predator proof/highly resistant door which I closed at night so she could sit on her eggs in her chosen spot..

Even with eggs my geese were never a problem.

Maybe they got along fine because they had plenty of space during the day.

 

[Aunt Angus]

You poor thing, for everything you read someone will say the opposite.

I'm NOT a goose expert but I kept my geese with my ducks, chickens and turkeys. MY geese kept to themselves as geese do and never bothered any other animal on the farm. They went into the same shed at night. Never a problem.

My goose who laid eggs did so by the garage door. I moved a dog igloo to that spot, added a predator proof/highly resistant door which I closed at night so she could sit on her eggs in her chosen spot..

Even with eggs my geese were never a problem.

Maybe they got along fine because they had plenty of space during the day.

So true about the differing opinions/experiences! With animals, it's so hard to predict behavior because they are individuals.

Since it'll be summer, I'll have plenty of time to work on integration and observe behavior. Imma try putting them all together. I had zero hiccups adding the ducks.

I was even considering letting a broody hen raise them (have 2 who are almost always broody), but decided that I'll brood them myself and just expose the existing flock to them frequently. They'll have plenty of room, and I can divide them if I must. I was thinking of putting their pond in a fenced off area to keep the chickens from potentially drowning.

Another question: My ducks imprinted on each other, which was great because they are friendly towards me but independent enough that I didn't have problems moving them outside, even after a looooong time in the house (winter hatches).

Will the geese imprint on each other, or on me? I've read their imprinting instinct is even stronger than ducks'.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Congratulations on your soon to be goose owner status. I started with 3 buff a few years ago, females. They bonded with my goats, and they seem to enjoy that relationship. They have chased my ducks and chickens out of the goat area for the most part. When I got my pilgrims a year after, the buffs took them in and raised them. That order included a male.

The pilgrims have since cornered many birds and I believe killed 2 of my chickens. They seem a bit more aggressive. The pilgrims are louder, and more rowdy. Breeding season is the worse for noise.

I hatched 3 last year, all males apparently, so I put in one more order for 3 buffs and 3 embdem, all females to come in June. That will bring me up to 15 which is my cutoff.

Geese are definitely a different bird. I used to be terrified of geese, but now I'm not. I do watch my backside when out in the goat pasture just in case.

 

[AGeese]

I wanted Chinese and Giant Africans when I first began considering Geese, but opted out from continually hearing about how loud they were, and then watching videos that seemed to support that, but more so due to the risk of frostbite on their knobs since winter can get pretty bitter here. I realize videos are presented as the presenter wants them to be presented so they're probably not always so shrill in expression outside of breeding season, but pretty sure they're regular talkers.

If I ever upgrade to a larger acreage in a warmer locale or with bigger/better quarters for birds I might reconsider. I think the consensus is Chinese are the best watch dogs.

 

[3xhhheather]

Guess what? Auntie is second (or third) guessing herself again! I really am a mess...

I was reading several threads that report that many geese don't get along well with chickens. I was hoping that the 2 females I ordered will be able to live in the big pasture with the chickens and the ducks. If I introduce them as babies (it will be summer, so I can let the goslings out rather young, and I can do the "see but don't touch" thing for a long time, if needed), will they stand a better chance of getting along? They can have their own coop/house, no problem. And I can separate if needed BUT the ducks and geese will have to share the pond.

My ducks and chickens get along very well. I honestly believe my ducks think they are chickens. They hang out together, sunbathe together, eat together, sleep together...

I keep all my birds together, do the geese occasionally nip at a chicken to move them out of the way? Yep. Nothing more serious has ever happened and I think it's because the geese were raised right with the chickens. They definitely need their own coop, and I would say the more food bowls the better. I wouldn't second guess it, you're starting in a better position by having an established flock AND then adding in the geese. It also sounds like you have tons of room for everybody to move around each other <3

 

[CaliFarmsAR]

When do you get your geese?

 

[ColtHandorf]

Oh boy...

I JUST clicked "confirm" on a pair of "Fancy Geese" females from Metzers. The Fancy Goose selection can include Buff, Toulouse, Pilgrim, Large Tufted Toulouse, Roman, Sebastopol, African, and Brown Chinese.

So... just how noisy are the Brown Chinese and African??? I really wanted Toulouse and Buff, but I couldn't order that combination. I have pretty noisy Runner and Pekin ducks, but I don't want my neighbors to hate me.

I am having second thoughts - LOL! Wondering if I should cancel that order and get 2 Buff...

What are your thoughts?

PS: I have plenty of space, and I am building an in-ground pond for all of my darling waterfowl!

Have fun! I'll be curious to see if you get anything but Chinese or African. I love my Buff.

 

[Sneakyturtle]

How did it go with the geese getting along with chickens? I’m thinking about getting a pair of Toulouse next spring but I don’t want to stress out my chickens and ducks if they don’t get along

 

[Aunt Angus]

How did it go with the geese getting along with chickens? I’m thinking about getting a pair of Toulouse next spring but I don’t want to stress out my chickens and ducks if they don’t get along

Actually, I ended up canceling the order because I had a lot of difficulty with my chicks this year. I may try again next year. And if I get geese, they will likely be housed with my goats in the pasture - lol!