Integrating Geese and Hen/roosters

[sarahconnor]

We have two baby goslings that are getting huge at 12 weeks, they are out all day but at night go back to their almost too small pen. The hens and rooster ignore them, and they have grown up with ten real pretty new babies who are also thriving. We want to to live in the fenced safe yard and hen house with the flock when we arent home to free range them. Will they be ok??? We love them, they are sweet but freak out when we pick them up to put them to bed at night. we want them to trasition safely and with the least stress possible.
THANKS!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Have you ever penned them all together for any length of time? Chickens can really injure so I’d start off gradually putting them together in the safe fenced area. And if things are going well lengthen the time till they are sleeping with the chickens. How is your rooster with them?

 

[sarahconnor]

Thanks, the roosters are fine with the goslings when they are all free ranging. One of the chickens came close and the geese chased her away. They are all pretty chill. Plus the goslings are being raised with ten baby hens that are seperated with chicken wire so they connect with each other through the mesh.
Our one rooster before he became lame attacked everyone all the time but he is gentle now and lost his spurs since becoming lame . The dominant rooster is very nice actually and is a good watcher of the flock. He regularly knocks the lame one over if he gets amorous with any of the hens. The hens peck each other fairly regularly but give the goslings wide berth when they free range.
I will try to start penning them all together soon, probably this weekend.
Thanks for the tips and I’ll get back to you. Hope your flock has a nice summer!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Sounds like a good plan appreciate all updates of course with pictures