The African and Chinese goose thread!!

[CelticOaksFarm]

yep ducks and geese dont lay on top of the bedding, they like it deep enough to make a nest they can burry in when they get up.

 

[Going Bhonkers]

April & Nine are now 8 months old. This picture shows the size difference both in body and knob between goose & gander.
April (goose) is on the left, and Nine (gander) is on the right



They take turns being the "leader", here's April leading the way





^ Nine.

 

[zooweemama]

Just a couple of scenic shots of Chuck and Sarah on the pond with the ducks. They get along very well. Unlike what I thought they would do...they all like to stick together. When they spot hawks- the geese honk like crazy and the ducks take for cover. If any of the drakes get too zesty with the ladies- they swoop in break it up. lol. They herd the ducks to the pond, out for foraging and up to the coop for supper and bed at night. They are a hoot!

 

[Going Bhonkers]

Wow Zoowee!! Very pretty!!! I'm glad to hear that Chuck, Sarah & the ducks are one happy little flock

 

[Iain Utah]

Great pictures Bhonkers and Zoowee!!

 

[NanaKat]

Nice pictures of lovely geese.

 

[jak2002003]

I have a large pond / small lake in front of my property. Several houses are around it. I used to keep ducks on the lake and everyone loved them. Sadly they started going missing after a couple of years, and I found out it was a python eating them at night. I rehomes the remained ducks.

Now the lake is so boring and lifeless. I was offered a pair of Chinese geese. I really want to add them to the lake. They would be too big for the snake to eat (think the snake is long gone now as its been over 8 months since the ducks were there).

Can anyone tell me if these geese are really noisy? It would not matter if they just made a noise when someone came to the lake - as its a very quite area. I just don't want them making lots of noise throughout the night - that would annoy my neighbors for sure.

Thanks.

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

April & Nine are now 8 months old. This picture shows the size difference both in body and knob between goose & gander.
April (goose) is on the left, and Nine (gander) is on the right



They take turns being the "leader", here's April leading the way





^ Nine.

Nice geese!

 

[Going Bhonkers]

I have a large pond / small lake in front of my property. Several houses are around it. I used to keep ducks on the lake and everyone loved them. Sadly they started going missing after a couple of years, and I found out it was a python eating them at night. I rehomes the remained ducks.

Now the lake is so boring and lifeless. I was offered a pair of Chinese geese. I really want to add them to the lake. They would be too big for the snake to eat (think the snake is long gone now as its been over 8 months since the ducks were there).

Can anyone tell me if these geese are really noisy? It would not matter if they just made a noise when someone came to the lake - as its a very quite area. I just don't want them making lots of noise throughout the night - that would annoy my neighbors for sure.

Thanks.

They do get noisy, at times. There is a difference between their chatter and their excited honks which can be VERY loud.
My pair make noise (honk) 1.when they are first let out of their coop in the morning. 2. when they first see us, either when we arrive home or when we step outside (I would compare it to when a dog greets you outside, except dogs just wag their tails, whereas geese alert the neighbors) 3. when my neighbor from across the street checks his mail or takes the garbage to the curb. 4. when they see people walking/ biking pass our house (sometimes).

They do not make noise at night. They don't make loud honks after their initial "loud greeting" when we're outside, they chatter to themselves or to us. They also seem to nap a lot, so not noisy then. Look back a few posts, I believe Pandapaws or Boxedcow posted some videos of their geese, so you can get an idea of what they sound like. Or better yet, check Youtube vids for Chinese Geese - of course, there is a difference between a whole flock of geese honking versus just two, but as I mentioned above, 2 have the ability to get loud as well.

I wanted to mention this as well, you should make certain that the snake is gone. Though you may think that geese may be too big for its meal, a snake bite can be catastrophic. The geese will also need a house/ coop/ shelter that you can enclose them in at night for protection as they are an excellent prey for predators (they have limited visibility at night.) and, there isnt much to their defense other than honking, flapping and running away. Definitely check out the rest of this thread and the goose forum for some tips.

 

[jak2002003]

Thanks for the reply - you have given me great information and lots to think about.

If I do get a pair I will make a snake proof shelter for them for the night.

There are no other predators in my area and the lake is in the middle of a small housing development, so its secure.

There is a lot of grass for them to crazy and the lake to swim on.

Will they need feeding with pellets?