The African and Chinese goose thread!!

[holm25]

Its getting in the twenties and lower here, and my geese seem to be a lot hungrier. How much should I be feeding two small african geese? I have some cracked corn, but I don't usually feed that to the geese, would that be okay for them?

In the winter yoou should feed them all they can eat. Especially corn!!

 

[NathanZee]

In the winter yoou should feed them all they can eat. Especially corn!!

All they can eat? Wouldn't they just get really fat? I keep my ducks with them, so it would be kind of hard to just give full feed to the geese.

 

[Miss Lydia]

All they can eat? Wouldn't they just get really fat? I keep my ducks with them, so it would be kind of hard to just give full feed to the geese.

I keep feed out during day light hrs year round and my water fowl aren't fat. In winter mine get corn as an afternoon snack not as sole feed. The carbohydrates in the corn keeps them warmer over night. when it's really frigid like low teens and down they also get corn along with their feed in the mornings too. I don't put the corn in their feed containers I toss it on the ground out of poop area they love to forage for their corn. This is all my poultry including the chickens.

 

[NathanZee]

I keep feed out during day light hrs year round and my water fowl aren't fat. In winter mine get corn as an afternoon snack not as sole feed. The carbohydrates in the corn keeps them warmer over night. when it's really frigid like low teens and down they also get corn along with their feed in the mornings too. I don't put the corn in their feed containers I toss it on the ground out of poop area they love to forage for their corn. This is all my poultry including the chickens.

Okay. Should I switch them to full feed gradually or is it okay give them it right away.

Also, I have heard that cracked corn is harmful to ducks and geese, is that true?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Okay. Should I switch them to full feed gradually or is it okay give them it right away.

Also, I have heard that cracked corn is harmful to ducks and geese, is that true?

Cracked corn is just whole corn that has been chopped up so I can't see it being any different than whole corn and alot of members on here give corn cracked and whole to their water fowl. It can be used to help them get in shape for winter because they burn alot of energy keeping warm. I don't give corn to mine in spring through early fall. Once cold is gone I stop feeding it Once breeding season gets under way you want them eating their feed more so they get all the nutrients they need for breeding and egg laying and hatching if that is part of your plan. In warm months mine get veggies and dried meal worms as treats plus they do alot of foraging too.
How are you feeding them now? Do you just feed morning and evening? they aren't going to gorge themselves to death but you may notice them eating more at first because they have some catching up to do. lol

 

[NathanZee]

Cracked corn is just whole corn that has been chopped up so I can't see it being any different than whole corn and alot of members on here give corn cracked and whole to their water fowl. It can be used to help them get in shape for winter because they burn alot of energy keeping warm. I don't give corn to mine in spring through early fall. Once cold is gone I stop feeding it Once breeding season gets under way you want them eating their feed more so they get all the nutrients they need for breeding and egg laying and hatching if that is part of your plan. In warm months mine get veggies and dried meal worms as treats plus they do alot of foraging too.
How are you feeding them now? Do you just feed morning and evening? they aren't going to gorge themselves to death but you may notice them eating more at first because they have some catching up to do. lol

Oh thats good to hear I thought it was bad for their throats or something. They get a snack in the morning and then most of their feed in mid afternoon. I'm kind of worried my ducks will get fat, but maybe they will just eat gradually throughout the day and really not gain much weight, but just always have plenty of energy for fighting the cold?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Oh thats good to hear I thought it was bad for their throats or something. They get a snack in the morning and then most of their feed in mid afternoon. I'm kind of worried my ducks will get fat, but maybe they will just eat gradually throughout the day and really not gain much weight, but just always have plenty of energy for fighting the cold?

I really don't mind my water fowl or chickens adding some weight during fall and winter they need the extra just as other animals forage to gain weight for cold months, once spring comes we take them off the corn and they will get into their breeding weight and with more moving around they will be in tip top shape. Just make sure they always have plenty of water available when eating just like normal. Yes your right now we want them to be able to fight the cold and stay healthy.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Quote: Totally agree with @Miss Lydia I keep free choice main diet feed (flock raiser) and give corn as a treat during the winter every day. Summer I only offer flock raiser, We have 5 acres and a pond so they get plenty to eat. They rarely visit the feeders in the warm months.

 

[NathanZee]

Totally agree with @Miss Lydia I keep free choice main diet feed (flock raiser) and give corn as a treat during the winter every day. Summer I only offer flock raiser, We have 5 acres and a pond so they get plenty to eat. They rarely visit the feeders in the warm months.

I really don't mind my water fowl or chickens adding some weight during fall and winter they need the extra just as other animals forage to gain weight for cold months, once spring comes we take them off the corn and they will get into their breeding weight and with more moving around they will be in tip top shape. Just make sure they always have plenty of water available when eating just like normal. Yes your right now we want them to be able to fight the cold and stay healthy.

Thank you both! I will keep the All Flock out during the day then, and should I just give corn once a day?

 

[holm25]

Some pics of my geese and their breakfast. They also have access to layer. Also had to add the pics of my Muscovys.