I'm thinking of getting a couple of geese . . .

[fowltemptress]

Thank you for the links, but I'm very concerned about goslings traveling that distance. I'll keep those in mind as a last resort. I'd really prefer to find someone in Texas that has them so I can pick them up myself and not have to worry about how they're handling the stress of traveling through the post.

 

[rainplace]

Don't worry about goslings coming from either of those sources. I've never ordered from Cottage Rose, but I'm certain that she cares deeply for her flock and doesn't ship without care. Goslings, ducklings, chicks, and even full grown birds go through the mail all the time. Reputable breeders will not ship when the weather is dangerous, which is why you often only see breeders shipping during the spring, fall and winter months.

 

[fowltemptress]

I keep finding things on google about someone's goose killing a chicken . . . my birds would not share a coop, but would share about half an acre to roam around on, and I only plan to keep two geese. I'm going through that phase of second guessing myself and this is really bothering me. Does anyone have experience with geese around chickens? Am I worrying too much about it, or is this something that should make me rethink getting geese?

 

[erijn5]

Quote:
I have (5) 25lbs in the same pen with 130, some odd chickens, chicks, roosters. They are fine... The geese do not both them they share the water dish, and the geese mingle in their pool. They roost and nest in 2 barns at night. During the day the geese and the chickens all free range on 7 acres...I've never had any problem with them fighting or wondering off, I just have to watch for hawks!!! Good Luck!

 

[Thoroughbred]

We have 5 Canadas. Their yard is right next door to the chicken yard-- seperated by chicken wire only. I have let them free range together from time to time. Initially, the geese would assume an aggressive stance, but we did as we would do with any reasonably intelligent animal. We raised our voice to tell them "NO", and then postured and ran them off in such a way that the geese got the point-- do not bother the chickens! Now, I don't even have to worry about it. They leave the chickens alone.

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

but I know I'm on a site of enablers,

i totally laughed out loud when i read this! get geese! get geese!! but before you do... check out my signature.
;-)

as an enabler i will tell you straight out that i LOVE the geese - mostly b/c they are so darn onry. my gander is, flat out, a demon and i pity the fool who tries to take a swipe at him! they are great watch 'dogs', amazing parents, good lawn mowers, and are so beautiful when they are out on the pond. honestly i dont think i'd ever NOT have them.

the funniest thing is that they are superduper smart in a creepy way. if they are headed out to the road, or the garden i'll just walk outside and yell: HEY YOU (they stop and look at me) GET OUT OF THERE AND COME BACK RIGHT NOW (and then they waddle back to the house)...its kind of amazing. they know exactly what i'm saying.

now the bad news....

my husband HATES them.. and i mean HATE! he thinks they are loud, poopy, they get into everything, sit on the front porch just to poop it all up, will eat all the feed they can get their mits on, and you can never turn your back on them.

i have a nice scar on my arm to prove that they can and will harm you - that stupid gander took a chunk right out of my arm! and he has a thing for one of my old lame hens - he's tried to kill her several times. we got the geese from a friend (some friend!) mostly b/c the gander killed one of his hens and they have little kids. when the gander gets a bee in his bonnet (usually around breeding time) i've had to set the dogs on the him when he goes after that little hen... and i was actually in hand to hand (beak?) combat and that stupid goose was WINNING!

but

not all geese are mean and you might be able to get a snuggler who will not go after the other poultry (my gander and big tom turkey stand at the gate and scream at each other - a cage match would be legendary....). and you can easily keep them penned up and away from kids or other animals with a low fence. one of our young females is a little bossy but the younger male isnt ... so i think its a personality thing.

my gander is an embden, the matriarch is a toulouse, and the two younger ones are toulouse x roman (our mrs goose apparently stepped out on the gander!!!). i cant wait for spring to get little ones again - the goslings are so cute. we call ours "meeps" because that make the funniest little noise: meep meep meep.. to cute for words.

get geese! you might be able to find someone local on CL.... or wait until spring and i'm sure you'll find some. but i have to say... Cottage Rose has the most lovely geese!

good luck!
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[Cara]

I really like my geese because they are easy to contain if necessary, they can't clear 2'! I don't specifically feed them, they free range and mostly graze but they also eat any scraps we throw out for them. They clean up the hay and feed after the horses and goats. They are enormous. They are extremely loud though and get into everything. I have to keep feed sacks and hay bales away from them or they'll make a terrible mess.