Some questions about geese.

[Smartie_Pants]

I really want a few geese. I have ducks and chickens, but I'm thinking of adding a few geese. Are they usually friendly? The breeds I like most are the pilgrims and the toulouse. If I bought any, they would probably be ordered from Ideal. Any tips or comments on the breeds? Would they get along with my ducks? My ducks and chickens live together in one pen, so cold they go in there too?

 

[banter]

I think they'd all need their own space. There are lot's of friendly breeds of geese, but they will all be unhappy crowded together during breeding season especially. Geese need a grazing and exercise to remain happy and healthy.

 

[Smartie_Pants]

They get let out at sun up and free range until sun down every day. They are only in the pen overnight.

 

[B. Saffles Farms]

We have a few geese and ducks with our chickens and they dont mind at all. But they do have plenty of room.

 

[Smartie_Pants]

We have three and a half acres they free range on, plus the neigbors yard and the yard of the empty house next to us. They would have pleanty of room.

 

[B. Saffles Farms]

Then I think you should have any problem at all keeping them together. Sounds like more than enough room to me.

 

[banter]

If they range they should be fine except at nesting time. Ganders will
not let anybody (except maybe you) near their nest. They are territorial with a capital "T"!My chickens, ducks and geese are all kept in a large barn in the winter with daytime outs when possible. I have to keep the geese in a separate wing (no pun intended) starting in mid January. I have Sebs which are very mild mannered.

 

[banter]

I should have added that geese are worth the effort! If I had listened to all the old wives tales about them I never would have got any! Ya won't
know until you try! Lot's of good info on different breeds out there and nice people that are happy to share there expertise! Just do your homework!

 

[picklespickles]

mine are all together and in much less room than that. they are fine. occasionally, they boss the chickens but nothing too bad. my boy duck, even with all the girl ducks to choose from is the one who gets mean during nesting time of the girl goose. lol. he has never ever gone for his own kind. quite the liberal, he is.

 

[chickensducks&agoose]

my chinese man-goose gets real aggressive with the chickens if they are confined together.. One time they were all together, and I didn't realize that Broken Chicken couldn't get away from the goose, and there was feathers and blood everywhere

I felt terrible.. since then, the goose HAS to sleep in his goose house, not the hen house... Broken Chicken was okay, but missing all his tail feathers... most have grown back by now.... and mr. goose is aggressive to my mama hen... she was sequestered during her broody-bit, and with her new baby, and now if the goose sees her, he chases her, and bites her back feathers, and won't let go... i have to run outside and smack him off her... very sad, which is why I need an divided run this spring! Good luck!