Happy birthday by the way. It turns out that we rented a several acre pasture that used to be home to buffalo back in a day. It has several outbuildings on it and running water and electric. I was thinking of getting a goose or geese as protectors. Looking into Americans (lavender ice) or Possibly Ebdens. I want friendly geese toward us but intimidating to predators. Also is it better to hatch your own. I was going to try to get eggs but I think I really want a sexed pair, but only if they have a good chance at being friendly. If not hubby is convinced they will be dinner. Do you recommend a breed.
So, I am obviously biased but I prefer Roman Tufteds. They are a docile, very friendly breed. While small, they are not shy about announcing predators. In fact, they are the breed of goose that famously saved Rome from invaders. They would probably not directly challenge a predator unless one was attacking them (or one was attacking the gander's mate or a nest was in danger, I have no doubt a gander would attack in that situation) but that goes for all breeds. Their presence can deter smaller predators though, and if there was a predator around you can bet you'd hear about it.
My first Roman Tufted was Lacie and she was sent through the mail, imprinted on me, and is the sweetest thing ever. My other two, Jasmine and Finn (my gander), I also got through the mail and I don't know if they imprinted on me but they are just as sweet as Lacie, although they don't like to be handled as much now that they're older which is fine. None of them have ever been aggressive with me or anyone else, although they do announce strangers when strangers come onto the property.
I picked this breed in the first place because of their docility and friendliness, their smaller size (I did not want a huge goose) and because they are quiet compared to most goose breeds but will alert to predators. Plus they are critically endangered and need people to breed them. And if your husband does want to eat extras down the road, they're a good size for that, not huge but would feed a family, and they have white feathers and down so they have a nice clean carcass.
If you're looking for a bigger breed, you might want to ask over in the goose forum for breed advice. I also have a half American buff goose and she is not aggressive but is skittish and does not enjoy humans, but she is also half Canada goose so that is playing a role. I did own one pure American buff for a little while and she was sweet, but I didn't have her when she was mature, only when she was a juvenile, so I couldn't say if their personality changes when mature.
If you're interested, I will have sexed pairs and straight run goslings for chickenstock, and maybe hatching eggs if they are still laying and you wanted to go that route.
A few minutes at a time. But I skipped a few weeks here and there. I saw a nice one with cats. 
