New Pair of Buff Geese

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

I have been wanting geese for a long while, spent over $250.00 trying to hatch out goose eggs, none hatched.

The breeds I was mostly interested in were Sebastapols, Pilgrim, Cotton Patch, and Buff Geese. We have two smaller children and wanted a sweet goose (although I am aware that all geese become agressive during breeding season). Anyway, I was cruising on Craigslist one day and found someone that had Buff Gees! FINALLY! All the other people I found that had geese, raised either Chinese or Africans. Neither of which I wanted...no offense to people that own them, I just do not care for them myself.

After a couple of emails and phone calls and about 2-3 weeks of waiting I came home with a 1 1/2 month of pair (so we think) of Buff Geese! I am very excited about them.

I have them in with my Sussex flock at the moment, as my Duck pen is crowded at the moment and I'm afraid the goslings might get picked on. I have tryed offering them some Flock Raiser, but as far as I know they have not touched it. I have seen them over at the water..and it's always getting nasty so I figure they are drinking water, and I've seen a couple large piles of poop, but still a bit worried. They had to be carted around in the pickup all day yesterday so I reckon they are still a bit stressed out from moving to a new home, etc. Plus it has been over 100 degrees here in TX for about a month or more now.

Sooo questions...we are going to try and build them their own pen, ASAP, but for the moment will they be okay in with my Sussex (chickens)? I have watched them and they do not seem to be mean twards the chickens and the chickens do not seem to mind them being in the pen...even though they are twice the size of Winston, my roo!

Also none of the feed stores carry waterfowl feed, so I feed all my ducks etc Purina Flock Raiser. Is this okay? At some point, as soon as I get the chainlink fence up around my poultry building they will be able to free range.

Will they harm our garden? Such as trample the plants, eat the veggies or anything else? We would really love to have them in the garden eating the grass that grows around the raised beds, and eat the giant fat grasshoppers that are everywhere. Or, we would really like to have them in our front yard, they are such pretty sweet things and so much fun to watch! We have a large (4 ft x 8 ft) hutch in our front yard, would this be a good home for them?

Also in need of some ways to get them friendlier. Right now when ever I go in their pen they cry and run away from. Do I just need to give them time, I mean after all I would be a bit frighten after what they went through? While I was holding them the first day the gander hissed and tryed to nip us a couple of times, the female (who is smaller) was much more gentle and just gave a cry every now and again. We would really like them to be sweet, gentle, and come up to us for attention/treats.

Well this is all for now, thanks so much y'all!

~ Aspen

 

[NanaKat]

Congratulations on your new babies. Did the previous owner give you any advice on feeding?
.
Here is what I've learned with our first geese that are now 10 weeks old.
They eat grasses and greens at this age and crumbles to supplement.
Add Brewer's Yeast to their food to provide the necessary niacin for their diet.
They need a secure pen/coop. Shade and a wading pool or tub is necessary for their comfort in the heat. They bath many times during the day.

If I pick up Ninya, then Charlotte will follow me everywhere.
Offering treats when sitting on the ground brings an inquisitive goose closer.

It has taken several weeks for the two girls to warm up to us and they still do not enjoy being held.
So respecting their wariness has been beneficial in getting them used to us.

I'll be interested in reading the advice others more experienced offer you.

 

[Going Bhonkers]

Congrats on your new geese!!! I don't know if you've seen this thread yet, but it might be helpful,
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/618185/raising-geese-101#post_8210407
When I first got my geese, I did a LOT of reading on the Goose forum, even the older posts because I found that there were so many things out there that I didnt think to consider. Lots of info! Also, when you say Buff geese, do you mean American Buff? (because other breeds can also come in buff)

Quote:

Sooo questions...we are going to try and build them their own pen, ASAP, but for the moment will they be okay in with my Sussex (chickens)?
1 thing I know for sure about this, make sure the geese dont have access to medicated feed.

Also none of the feed stores carry waterfowl feed, so I feed all my ducks etc Purina Flock Raiser. Is this okay?
I think I've read around the forum posts that this is okay, just make note of the protein level, as geese dont require a high protein level compared to other poultry.

Will they harm our garden? Such as trample the plants, eat the veggies or anything else? Yes. They like tender greens, and seedlings. Pretty much anything within reach of their beak is fair game. That being said, they wont completely devour a plant unless they like the taste of it. Well.. unless theyre bored.

We would really love to have them in the garden eating the grass that grows around the raised beds, and eat the giant fat grasshoppers that are everywhere. If you have raised beds where they can't hop on, your plants have a better chance! Not sure about the grasshoppers, since they mainly stick to greens, but my guys have eaten insects occasionally. Or, we would really like to have them in our front yard, they are such pretty sweet things and so much fun to watch! We have a large (4 ft x 8 ft) hutch in our front yard, would this be a good home for them?

Also in need of some ways to get them friendlier. Right now when ever I go in their pen they cry and run away from. Do I just need to give them time, I mean after all I would be a bit frighten after what they went through? While I was holding them the first day the gander hissed and tryed to nip us a couple of times, the female (who is smaller) was much more gentle and just gave a cry every now and again. We would really like them to be sweet, gentle, and come up to us for attention/treats Definitely time, try to spend as much time with them as you can. I think it may be a little bit harder to work with older goslings that arent imprinted on you, but its not impossible, its just going to take a little longer. It sounds like youre doing the right things to socialize them. Make sure to correct the gander's behavior when he tries to nip at you, to establish that you are "lead goose" and he's a subordinate member of the flock.

Well this is all for now, thanks so much y'all!

~ Aspen

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

Congratulations on your new babies. Did the previous owner give you any advice on feeding?
.
Here is what I've learned with our first geese that are now 10 weeks old.
They eat grasses and greens at this age and crumbles to supplement.
Add Brewer's Yeast to their food to provide the necessary niacin for their diet.
They need a secure pen/coop. Shade and a wading pool or tub is necessary for their comfort in the heat. They bath many times during the day.

If I pick up Ninya, then Charlotte will follow me everywhere.
Offering treats when sitting on the ground brings an inquisitive goose closer.

It has taken several weeks for the two girls to warm up to us and they still do not enjoy being held.
So respecting their wariness has been beneficial in getting them used to us.

I'll be interested in reading the advice others more experienced offer you.

No, they did not.
I decided to move them in with the ducks, as I remember the previous owner said he geese and ducks ran together. They seem to really enjoy the duck's company. We usually throw tender weeds and such into their pen from the garden, so they have greens fairly often. They duck pen is made up of cotton trailer sides, so it is very secure. The only thing that can come in is snakes. And I wouldn't think snakes would dare go in with a pen full of waterfowl...

~ Aspen

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

Congrats on your new geese!!! I don't know if you've seen this thread yet, but it might be helpful,
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/618185/raising-geese-101#post_8210407
When I first got my geese, I did a LOT of reading on the Goose forum, even the older posts because I found that there were so many things out there that I didnt think to consider. Lots of info! Also, when you say Buff geese, do you mean American Buff? (because other breeds can also come in buff)

Quote:

Thanks for the link. I asume they are American Buff, but I am unsure. I took some pictures the other day, I will try and post them here.

~ Aspen

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

Sooo questions...we are going to try and build them their own pen, ASAP, but for the moment will they be okay in with my Sussex (chickens)?
1 thing I know for sure about this, make sure the geese dont have access to medicated feed.
I do not feed any of my poultry medicated feed of any kind, not to worry! : )

Also none of the feed stores carry waterfowl feed, so I feed all my ducks etc Purina Flock Raiser. Is this okay?
I think I've read around the forum posts that this is okay, just make note of the protein level, as geese dont require a high protein level compared to other poultry.
I shall give it a took.

Will they harm our garden? Such as trample the plants, eat the veggies or anything else? Yes. They like tender greens, and seedlings. Pretty much anything within reach of their beak is fair game. That being said, they wont completely devour a plant unless they like the taste of it. Well.. unless theyre bored.

Ah! I see. It might not be the best idea to put them in there then. Perhaps this winter they can pick around in the beds.
We would really love to have them in the garden eating the grass that grows around the raised beds, and eat the giant fat grasshoppers that are everywhere. If you have raised beds where they can't hop on, your plants have a better chance! Not sure about the grasshoppers, since they mainly stick to greens, but my guys have eaten insects occasionally.
Our beds are raised, but they could easily get into them.
Or, we would really like to have them in our front yard, they are such pretty sweet things and so much fun to watch! We have a large (4 ft x 8 ft) hutch in our front yard, would this be a good home for them?

Also in need of some ways to get them friendlier. Right now when ever I go in their pen they cry and run away from. Do I just need to give them time, I mean after all I would be a bit frighten after what they went through? While I was holding them the first day the gander hissed and tryed to nip us a couple of times, the female (who is smaller) was much more gentle and just gave a cry every now and again. We would really like them to be sweet, gentle, and come up to us for attention/treats Definitely time, try to spend as much time with them as you can. I think it may be a little bit harder to work with older goslings that arent imprinted on you, but its not impossible, its just going to take a little longer. It sounds like youre doing the right things to socialize them. Make sure to correct the gander's behavior when he tries to nip at you, to establish that you are "lead goose" and he's a subordinate member of the flock.
Since most of my ducks are very socile and always come running to see what I have for them, I am hoping the geese will will slowly learn to do the same.

Well this is all for now, thanks so much y'all!

~ Aspen