long time chicken owner. new goose owner

[coffeychicks]

So for my son's birthday yesterday he was given 2 baby African geese. Now we have had chickens over 2 years and love it. But never any geese or ducks. Please give advice and lots of it. I want this to be an awesome experience.
What we have. We have a 1 acre pond so water isn't an issue but since they are so small we got the a plastic kiddie pool for now. We have over 2 acres of land so room isn't an issue. These guys are pets only. What should I be aware of health wise. Attitude wise etc. They like grass so the people I got them from says. What else. Any special food. I have layer crumbles. Starter grower for our chicks. And cracked corn. I want to make sure they have all they need. What about treats. My chickens get meal worms crickets earth worms etc. Is that something they will like as well. Help.

 

[Miss Lydia]

So for my son's birthday yesterday he was given 2 baby African geese. Now we have had chickens over 2 years and love it. But never any geese or ducks. Please give advice and lots of it. I want this to be an awesome experience.
What we have. We have a 1 acre pond so water isn't an issue but since they are so small we got the a plastic kiddie pool for now. We have over 2 acres of land so room isn't an issue. These guys are pets only. What should I be aware of health wise. Attitude wise etc. They like grass so the people I got them from says. What else. Any special food. I have layer crumbles. Starter grower for our chicks. And cracked corn. I want to make sure they have all they need. What about treats. My chickens get meal worms crickets earth worms etc. Is that something they will like as well. Help.

What a nice birthday present. A pond is an awesome thing to have when you have waterfowl but like you said they are way to young to be going into a pond. especially if you have snapping turtles, they love to bite off feet of young water fowl and will even eat young ones. so I'd wait a good while and let them get pretty big before introducing them to the pond. Geese are very hardy and as long as kept in reasonably clean environment they will remain that way, Brooder Pneumonia is always a concern if ammonia builds up from waste but easily delt with by cleaning often. I wouldn't advise feeding layer to young birds since it has way to much calcium for them. Chick or water fowl starter is best and if it's chick starter then you'll need to supplement with niacin or brewers yeast because chick feed doesn't have adequate amt's of niacin for water fowl and they can have leg problems. I use an all flock and since it's formulated for use for all poultry you don't have to supplement if they will be grazing too. Geese are big grazers and will get alot of the nutrients from grazing, but still need to supplement with feed also. At this point I wouldn't offer cracked corn, it's like candy and they need more nourishment since they are growing youngsters. My one goose loves meal worms my gander wouldn't try them if I offered them on a silver platter so you'll have to just try various things to see what they like, but grapes and kale and roamine lettuce are big hits here. Also at their young age they still need some heat and a very secure place to stay, the fencing I am seeing would not be adequate protection for any of my flock we have way to many preds and things like raccoons will just reach through and grab and pull out and kill anything they can get their grubby lil hands on. plus mink and weasel will just climb right through. Geese are an awesome addition to anyones place and live a very long time, I hope your son enjoys them. I sure do.

 

[coffeychicks]

Thank you so much the people I got them from just had them in the yard roaming. I have a brooder lamp I will put in there but question. Our temps are upper 80 to low 90 now that we are heading into summer. The coop is chain length with lattic around the bottom. 2x6 around bottom for extra protection. Top is covered by an old trampoline mat and tarp for weather protection. They have a dog house with hay bedding for now. Will get your advised feed today.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thank you so much the people I got them from just had them in the yard roaming. I have a brooder lamp I will put in there but question. Our temps are upper 80 to low 90 now that we are heading into summer. The coop is chain length with lattic around the bottom. 2x6 around bottom for extra protection. Top is covered by an old trampoline mat and tarp for weather protection. They have a dog house with hay bedding for now. Will get your advised feed today.

May not need heat then unless it is still getting cool at night. The only problem with lattice and chain link is coons and other small preds can reach in and if your gosling were laying next to the fence which most like to do they would be grabbed fast. plus mink and weasel can get through a 1" opening. Make sure the top is secured to the fence to keep climbers out and I'd put something like hardware cloth up at least 3' from bottom of chain link and something could still dig under. I don't want to scare the daylights out of ya'll but I have been on here a long time and have heard the horror stories of how preds can get into pens and coops when the OP thought they were safe.

 

[coffeychicks]

No I greatly appreciate the advice. We have babies that are 3 month old chickies. I was lucky to inherent 18 full grown chickens. So the baby part I am learning so scared something will go wrong

 

[Miss Lydia]

No I greatly appreciate the advice. We have babies that are 3 month old chickies. I was lucky to inherent 18 full grown chickens. So the baby part I am learning so scared something will go wrong

You'll do fine.

 

[coffeychicks]

Why I love this site so much. Thank you for your advice. Everyone around me says you don't want geese they are nasty and poop every and any where. Which I respond with so does you dog. Or they say they are mean. The people we got them from had 3 adults and 6 babies. They were protective but she let them out and all was fine. As long as no one messed with the babies. Well all animals do that even humans. Get so frustrated when others want to put down my animals. We have 19 chickens 2 geese 2 rabbits 2 dogs and a cat who protects the coops. Crazy cat will climb on top. If something comes around he pounces on it. Some have lgd I have a live stock guard cat (he even has been seen grooming the chicks and playing mommy)

 

[Miss Lydia]

Why I love this site so much. Thank you for your advice. Everyone around me says you don't want geese they are nasty and poop every and any where. Which I respond with so does you dog. Or they say they are mean. The people we got them from had 3 adults and 6 babies. They were protective but she let them out and all was fine. As long as no one messed with the babies. Well all animals do that even humans. Get so frustrated when others want to put down my animals. We have 19 chickens 2 geese 2 rabbits 2 dogs and a cat who protects the coops. Crazy cat will climb on top. If something comes around he pounces on it. Some have lgd I have a live stock guard cat (he even has been seen grooming the chicks and playing mommy)

That is so sweet. All you said is so true, Geese are what they are, we have to accept the fact and enjoy them for that. I feel if we treat them right and teach them that we are the leaders then all will work out. It has here. I also love my hose. LOL

 

[coffeychicks]

So an update the geese are doing great. Loves to free range (with supervision ) they will eat from our hands. My son loves them to pieces. But I have a question. I have heard great things about sand as litter. Is that safe for the geese as well.