OK...I clearly need help! Calling all goose gurus!

[Omniskies]

If you want a more mellow breed then go with the Pilgrims, American Buffs, Dewlap Toulouse, or Sebastopols. The Cotton Patch are also laid back but are practically impossible to hunt down.

I have information about Pilgrims and American Buffs here: http://omniskies.com

I'm biased about my Pilgrims and Buffs. Our neighbor has the Dewlap Toulouse and they're great geese, but they still seem a bit louder than my breeds

 

[ScoobyRoo]

Quote:
Thank you! I'll check into that. Then if it is a go, I need to find someone/somewhere to buy one pair. Farm stores carry only chicks and ducks, no geese. Why is that?

 

[Omniskies]

Because geese are expensive and aren't as popular with people. They're well worth having around, but so many people have had bad experiences with geese, or have heard bad things, that few take the chance.

Your best bet for the rare breeds is to get hatching eggs or goslings from a breeder. Holderread has some great geese, and when I have extra eggs I sell them.

They're more expensive initially, but it's better to spend the extra money now and have what you want than to take a chance otherwise.

Geese live to be 15-20+ years old. They're much more of a long-term investment than most other backyard birds.

If you can't get the more rare breeds, then the common breeds offered at hatcheries are still very friendly if raised by you. They just have a tendency to be territorial and loud toward strangers.

 

[jvls1942]

I had two males that I was assured were a pair.. when breeding season was over and no eggs, we butchered both.. they were both males, then, no doubt..

Mounting amongst birds is a dominance thing..


whoops, I forgot.. the gander is more flat between the legs.. the goose has a distinct pouch or rudder.. espeially if she is laying eggs.

watch when they mate.. after they are done, the gander usually stretches his neck and throws his head back in a very satisfied pose..

 

[banter]

Henry'schickens :

Harley's girl, Congrats!!! I'm sorry to hi-jack your thread but since we are talking about geese-----my DD wants to have one. All I remember is how mean they can be, chasing and biting. Is there a calm breed (now I learned you really need a mating pair) that would be suitable? My youngest is 9 and he won't let anything bother him so I'm not worried about young kids. Just need your input.

I think geese got a bad rap because they get "hissy" during breeding season. All they need is a bit of privacy and respect during that time. Remember, their whole focus at that time is to raise a family successfully. I also think they are smart enough not to forget mistreatment and teasing-would you?

I'm on my third generation of geese and so far so good! I have Sebs and they are remaining quite nice. They scream at me daily now-they have eggs to protect. It's worth it to leave them alone as the family is a joy to watch when the babies hatch.​

 

[ScoobyRoo]

I have plenty of room here for them to have their privacy.

It is too bad that they have a bad rap. I am doing more research to decide for sure what we want, what to feed (same as chickens??) and how I would house them as I don't want them with my chickens.

Omniskies, I pm'd you.

 

[jvls1942]

In the warm season geese graze grass and there is very little feed you have to supply..

Henry'schickens :

I have plenty of room here for them to have their privacy.

It is too bad that they have a bad rap. I am doing more research to decide for sure what we want, what to feed (same as chickens??) and how I would house them as I don't want them with my chickens.

Omniskies, I pm'd you.​

 

[Harley's girl]

Other than these, I had a Canadian goose (we found it on the road) so we brought it home and low and behold it was a Canadian! I loved that goose. I enjoy the embden but, I would love to get Sebastopols! I think they are beautiful!!!!

I will be watching my geese very close now. Since she has started laying I have noticed that they have gotten very hissy! When I was banding her she nipped at me, but it was not hard. Just enough to say get out of my space! LOL

 

[vicki2x2]

Quote:
This depends on the breed, as some breeds it is common for both genders to have them.

 

[chicklady63]

Re: The Cotton Patch are also laid back but are practically impossible to hunt down.



Greenfire Farms has the Cotton Patch geese available. It's a neat history these birds have, too. I have a pair of the dewlap Africans and they are really very good compared to what I've learned from others about their birds. Bosley (the gander) was hatched by me in the incubator and hand-raised inside our home for the first four months. I imagine that has made a bit of difference. He has remained very calm and only the slightest bit cranky lately now that he wants to breed.