Pinckney
Songster
I’ve had Shetlands and Saddleback Pomeranians. I prefer the SB as getting babies/goslings was easy, loved their personality, and they were beautiful. Some/most could be attributable to their breeding and I raised them from day olds. I enjoy the intelligence and beauty of geese in general, nothing I can say specifically about the breed.
I can’t imagine a domestic breed getting all of their diet from foraging in the winter. Thinking back my Shetlands are always looking for grass including during the winter but I don’t have a grass that grows on my property in the winter. My goose isn’t all that interested in the kale, cabbage and other vegs I’ve given her. The ducks on the other dive right in. Geese are known for being slow to adopt new food so maybe if given more time to nibble she would start eating it?
My Shetlands are fairly quiet and never found them to be aggressive to the point I was fearful.
Not sure if that helps? For many, being able to easily sex by sight and the size are probably the key selling points of the breed. But there are other breeds with similar traits that you might be able to find quality stock from a breeder close to you, versus struggling and waiting to find Shetlands. And yes, I am nudging to consider a different breed for pragmatic reasons. Romans or even Holderreads minis might be other options for friendly smaller sized geese. Sebastapols seem to also be very popular.
One thing to consider about geese, if you aren’t using them for meat. Personality is by individual, and choices made by the breeder.
I can’t imagine a domestic breed getting all of their diet from foraging in the winter. Thinking back my Shetlands are always looking for grass including during the winter but I don’t have a grass that grows on my property in the winter. My goose isn’t all that interested in the kale, cabbage and other vegs I’ve given her. The ducks on the other dive right in. Geese are known for being slow to adopt new food so maybe if given more time to nibble she would start eating it?
My Shetlands are fairly quiet and never found them to be aggressive to the point I was fearful.
Not sure if that helps? For many, being able to easily sex by sight and the size are probably the key selling points of the breed. But there are other breeds with similar traits that you might be able to find quality stock from a breeder close to you, versus struggling and waiting to find Shetlands. And yes, I am nudging to consider a different breed for pragmatic reasons. Romans or even Holderreads minis might be other options for friendly smaller sized geese. Sebastapols seem to also be very popular.
One thing to consider about geese, if you aren’t using them for meat. Personality is by individual, and choices made by the breeder.
