In four months my family and i will be moving to Idaho and will be having about 5 acres of land. Its always been a dream of mine to own geese however our twenty foot backyard wasn't a good place for more birds. This brings me to my question. What is the best way to get geese? I know geese imprint better than other birds and we do intend on these being "pets" they won't have to much free range and may live in the house. But is it better to get them from a hatchery a day old or to get hatching eggs and incubate them? Ive heard hatchery goslings can imprint on each other and become afraid of people. I Also hear a lot of places don't treat the babys very well. ( not sure if thats true or not). If its easier to incubate the eggs yourself this brings up new questions. 1. Where is the best place to get the eggs? (sebastopo preferably) 2. Where can i buy a affordable egg incubator that works for geese eggs? Unless a chicken egg incubator works jest as well, i have no idea. It will only be used about once, we only plan on having 2-4 geese. 3. anyone have any experience with goslings that can share some knowledge?
I may be able to help you but not sure. Sebastopal geese go for on Mcmurray hatchery $63.00 a gosling not sexed. I myself am trying to find one but want a female so I can keep it. 3 years ago my family hatched 2 goslings 1 became mean the other loved me and followed me everywhere like I was her mom. I made a certain honk and she came running. I think hatching from the egg is better if you want them to imprint on you. I would post an ad on craigslist about sebastopal geese eggs. Geese start laying around March. You might find someone. Please ask as many questions as you want
@Mcslap13 Welcome to BYC.. first off let me say geese live a long life some as long as 40 yrs. So this is a very long commitment. Not saying you shouldn't get geese but while your waiting to move maybe begin reading up on them what they need to be happy and healthy, I have 4 geese 2 ganders 2 females about half the year the ganders are very relaxed and calm. But during breeding season they are protective and ornery. It's their job to protect their mate and goslings if any hatch and they take their job very seriously so you might want to think about if a gander is right for you and your family. If you especially have small children living in your home and will have contact with the geese. Usually first 9 months the ganders are laid back it's when they become sexually mature that they can get bitey and ornery. If you just want females then you would be better off ordering females and Metzers is a good water fowl hatchery. It cost but worth it if females is what would be better suited for you all. Almost 2 yrs ago my female Toulouse lost her only gosling to make it to hatch actually it didn't make it out of the egg. She was heartbroken and so was I. I couldn't believe I was able to find 2- 2 day old gosling close by brought them home and kept them inside for 3 weeks taking them out daily for visits and fun in the yard. My females finally stopped grieving and at 2 weeks she became interested in the gosling so when they were 3 weeks old I gave them to her and my gander they are an amazing family just like she hatched them herself. But those 3 weeks we had them inside they bonded with us so precious the little Buff would climb on our laps and snuggle they followed me around just like I was their mama The Toulouse was not near as loving as the Buff maybe even at that young age it was Buff[female] Toulouse [gander ]most likely because of being a different breed he was sweet just not as openly loving as my Buff. I gave them to the 2 adults they bonded with them immediatley. So goslings not hatched and bought locally or from a hatchery can bond with you I'd look on the Buy Sell Trade thread here on BYC for hatching eggs or maybe someone close to you that may have goslings in spring. Geese are amazing birds but alot of people get them with out knowing the temeperments of the ganders can change and instead of enjoying their geese end up hating them because of the gander and how he acts. Wanting to get rid of them and that is why so many geese end up dumped into local parks with ponds or lakes and rivers. So I commend you for getting started ahead of time in your search and research. Also there is a "where am I where are you " thread where you can look up your state thread and maybe find some one close with Sebbies. Gosilings hatched will imprint on the first thing they see so If you want that type of bonding then go for hatching eggs. You'll just get a mix of sexes. What ever you decide let us know. Have fun. Here is good info on hatching goose eggs https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/491013/goose-incubation-hatching-guide-completed
Thanks for the info, and yep we are aware of the long lives they have an we do want to avoid getting a gander. However most places only sell in pairs of male and female don't they? Ive been doing lots of research as well so i wont be going into this blind. We do have some experience with larger water fowl, we currently have a male Muscovy duck. Thank you for the link as well that wil be very helpful. Would you commend Buff geese? you said you have some an m jest curious how they are? We also like i said plan on having them more as pets than anything ans will spend as much time as possible with them when they are young.
