N ID Goose mom
Songster
Lets just say I'm very excited. I ordered my Toulouse geese in March and they are coming in 5-6 days. Up until recently (3 weeks ago) we also had chickens. We had been watching them for the last 1-1/2 years for my sister. They now have their run and new coop all set up and took the girls. I guess I didn't notice how much I would miss them and their antics till they were gone. So since my geese are being shipped on 6/3 I figured I would add some chicks to the order. And of course I had an empty coop that was all set up.
Ok here is the question: they will have separate brooders and coops when old enough, but I would like them to imprint on each other when young and impressionable ( possibly less chasing/aggression when adults). Will it be enough to let them out in the covered outside pen to interact as weather allows or would that cause problems (size difference)? Out mobile yard is 4x4 but the covered run connected to the goose house is going to be 12x 16. Once they leave indoors for the coops they will be fenced in a 1 acre yard with visits into the pasture/barn area when old enough ( and the Canadian geese have left) so there will be interaction between the two groups. There will only be one male, the gander, and the rest females. What is the best way to keep them friendly and maybe allow them to free range as a group (early warning system since we also have hawks/eagles).
Ok here is the question: they will have separate brooders and coops when old enough, but I would like them to imprint on each other when young and impressionable ( possibly less chasing/aggression when adults). Will it be enough to let them out in the covered outside pen to interact as weather allows or would that cause problems (size difference)? Out mobile yard is 4x4 but the covered run connected to the goose house is going to be 12x 16. Once they leave indoors for the coops they will be fenced in a 1 acre yard with visits into the pasture/barn area when old enough ( and the Canadian geese have left) so there will be interaction between the two groups. There will only be one male, the gander, and the rest females. What is the best way to keep them friendly and maybe allow them to free range as a group (early warning system since we also have hawks/eagles).
