New to geese, question about feed

[Gray Farms]

Always heard it was toxic for them, similar to how you don't give dogs chocolate

I'd say that's a myth/ole wives tale. Spinach, lettuce, and chard are the top three greens geese love.

 

[The goose girl]

Always heard it was toxic for them, similar to how you don't give dogs chocolate

It's probably due to the fact that spinach contains a relatively high amount of oxalic acid, which reacts with calcium during digestion and thus prohibits calcium absorption.

So, if you regularly feed your geese (or yourself) loads of spinach with no calcium supplement, it will probably cause calcium deficiency over time.

As long as you vary their diet, spinach should not be a problem.

 

[ColtHandorf]

Agreed. High amount of Spinach can interfere with calcium uptake. That's why reptile keepers don't feed it to tortoises, bearded dragons, or the like. It's not toxic and in small amounts should be fine. But I wouldn't feed copious amounts of it just to be safe.

My geese enjoy the laying pellets the chickens get, broiler starter/grower the younger birds get, any greens they get while ranging a fenced (large) back yard, and whatever else they pick up. I've seen them grab worms after heavy rains as well as other insects. They are interested in the crayfish chimneys, but don't seem to know how to get them. I've always wondered if they'd kill one they found above ground. I haven't ever seen them go after the huge population of leopard frogs or toads in the yard either. The chickens on the other hand are savage...lol

 

[erehwon]

We are still learning about geese but ours are out on grass all day where we give them any greens left in the vegetable patch, they also enjoy playing with and then eating peppers if they can get one before the ducks run off with them! We also grind a mix of wheat and corn add some water and they love it, they get their beaks into it first followed by the ducks then the chickens, even our rabbits make sure they get their fair share. At present they avoid any pellets but that may change as the snow comes and the grass disappears!

 

[Leader Bee]

Agreed. High amount of Spinach can interfere with calcium uptake. That's why reptile keepers don't feed it to tortoises, bearded dragons, or the like. It's not toxic and in small amounts should be fine. But I wouldn't feed copious amounts of it just to be safe.

Thanks, That's cleared things up quite a bit; I should be getting a pair of Tolouse around April next year and I wanted to be safe.

 

[DiYMama540]

My geese are so picky compared to y'alls! They eat their feed, grass, and a select few fruits and veggies. They dont even bother to check out the other things I offer from time to time. The chickens and the ducks though...they are the pigs at my house!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Mine eat an All Flock ration, some scratch and corn. They also eat a sweet feed with the goats and nibble at hay. I was surprised to see them in the manager getting stuff to eat right along with the goats. Otherwise they are still eating grass as it isn't covered in snow yet.

 

[DiYMama540]

They are absolutely like goats! I catch them taste testing and chewing on all sorts of craziness. They also like to leave rocks in the bottom of the water bucket for me. I find new "treasures" in the buckets every day

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I also forgot about how mine love tomatoes. I would toss them my extras from the garden all summer. I bet they will be excited next year to get them again. They seem to have a great memory.

 

[Miss Lydia]

When I bring home romaine lettuce Missy leaps in the air she’s so excited to get greens. They like tomato’s too.