The African and Chinese goose thread!!

[Going Bhonkers]

 

[NanaKat]

Our temperatures dropped to 27 last night with 3to6 inches of snow predicted. Yesterday I moved Ninya and Charlie into a pen in the barn near a window where they would get sunlight and cut two buckets of winter rye for them for the next two days.
Ninya laid an egg this morning and we didn't get the snow...so can they go back out in the near zero windchill or should I leave them in the barn. Those of you who know how geese tolerate cold, I would appreciate advice.

 

[pinkchick]

Hi Everyone! Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!

Have a question that I have been meaning to ask and can never remember to ask it...so here goes.

Howcome my geese will not sleep in their coop? I can't even get them to go into their coop? At bedtime they take off, run away and refuse to go in. After several minutes of me trying to lure them in with yummy treats, I finally give up. They spend their nights outside in the fenced in commons area where they spend their days grazing. They have a lean-to in the commons area to get under out of the rain or elements, but they won't even use that.
Now that the colder temperatures and winter weather are on their way should I be worried about them?
What about when they start laying eggs? Will they know to go in and make a nest area? Or will they just lay them nilly willy where ever they can in the commons area?

Thanks in advance for any advise or suggestions!

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

they werent trained to go in there so they arent comfortable just going in. if you are trying to herd them in and it is dark inside they wont go in because it is scary and a predator might be inside. You will have to herd and catch place them inside each night for 3 days to a week to teach them it is OK and where they need to go. After that they should easily be herded inside at night by you and locked up for their safety.

 

[RWise]

Recently I answered a CL add "4-11 month old African geese $10", picked them up the lady said she did not know gender and just needed them gone as they would not leave their expensive new farm dog alone. (FFA project) Got them home and on the net to see what I have, 2 male, 2 female, but the one male is tiny (we named him Christmas dinner) and has been culled. They are healthy good looking geese. I have given them a wading pool, and he appears to be mating at least one of the hens, but everyone is telling me I need 4 foot deep water for them to successfully mate. I would like to set some eggs from them this spring and little ones (my grands would be delighted). So is this true, do I need to provide them deeper water so he can push her under the water to mate? I have also read that they do not take a mate until 4 YO, and that he should take care of both ladies, what say those of you that raise them?
Thanx Richard
They do love the pool!!!

 

[Going Bhonkers]

Hi Everyone! Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!

Have a question that I have been meaning to ask and can never remember to ask it...so here goes.

Howcome my geese will not sleep in their coop? I can't even get them to go into their coop? At bedtime they take off, run away and refuse to go in. After several minutes of me trying to lure them in with yummy treats, I finally give up. They spend their nights outside in the fenced in commons area where they spend their days grazing. They have a lean-to in the commons area to get under out of the rain or elements, but they won't even use that.
Now that the colder temperatures and winter weather are on their way should I be worried about them?
What about when they start laying eggs? Will they know to go in and make a nest area? Or will they just lay them nilly willy where ever they can in the commons area?

Thanks in advance for any advise or suggestions!

Celtic offered some excellent advice. Geese are wary of dark places. My geese sleep in their coop, they learned over time that the coop is where they go when the sun is setting, and its the place where the food is. It initially took a LOT of herding, they used to not like it at all. It would take two of us to heard them in at first (sounds like you need a helper), and then it progressed to only needing 1 person to herd them in with a broomstick to guide them. Once they'd get inside, then we'd give them their feed (i'm sure you know this, but make sure they have access to water when they eat). We quickly realized that cracked corn was a favorite, maybe try offering them a little sprinkled in with their food? Sometimes, I'd be able to draw them inside by shaking the container that the corn is stored in, my gander still comes running when he hears that noise. It definitely takes a while, but you can do it!

Our temperatures dropped to 27 last night with 3to6 inches of snow predicted. Yesterday I moved Ninya and Charlie into a pen in the barn near a window where they would get sunlight and cut two buckets of winter rye for them for the next two days.
Ninya laid an egg this morning and we didn't get the snow...so can they go back out in the near zero windchill or should I leave them in the barn. Those of you who know how geese tolerate cold, I would appreciate advice.

I think some people still let them out (Iain Utah posted a pic of her Africans in out in the snow), while I've read others that others will keep them inside their barn. I suppose if your geese want to go outside, it's okay (i also read about some geese/ ducks that refused to go out in the snow!), just be mindful that the knobs on the Chinese can get frostbite.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Recently I answered a CL add "4-11 month old African geese $10", picked them up the lady said she did not know gender and just needed them gone as they would not leave their expensive new farm dog alone. (FFA project) Got them home and on the net to see what I have, 2 male, 2 female, but the one male is tiny (we named him Christmas dinner) and has been culled. They are healthy good looking geese. I have given them a wading pool, and he appears to be mating at least one of the hens, but everyone is telling me I need 4 foot deep water for them to successfully mate. I would like to set some eggs from them this spring and little ones (my grands would be delighted). So is this true, do I need to provide them deeper water so he can push her under the water to mate? I have also read that they do not take a mate until 4 YO, and that he should take care of both ladies, what say those of you that raise them?
Thanx Richard
They do love the pool!!!

No they dont need 4' deep water - kiddie pools and cement mixing pans work very well

No they wont wait until 4 to breed. most juvenile geese will breed the spring following when they hatched. 2012 goslings are likely to breed 2013

Geese are not monogamous, and yes 1 gander to 2 geese will work just fine

Please be careful with the geese and gander going into breeding season with yourself and especially the kids. Ganders become very protective and territorial and geese will defend a nesting site. Never allow kids to run freely around them, always keeping a fence between the two.

NO hand feeding either as it can lead to other bad things including nipping which hurts.

Geese thrive on routine, so establish one early with them. Feeding at the same time, same place. Having their nighttime housing from the beginning and putting them there every night to keep them safe from predators.

Once a routine is set they learn it and respond very well to your requests to head to bed for the night, ect.

Feed:
they can put on a variety of feed. Mazuri makes an excellent waterfowl feed, purina and nutrena both make an All Flock and Multi Flock feed which are both acceptable and widely used as well.

They MUST have water when feed is made available, offering a bucket of water for this is a great option as it should be dumped daily and made fresh.

Grass/grazing should be 90% of their diet. If you live where there is winter be sure to supplement with a good grass hay. Orchard, Timothy, Oat are all good choices, most geese dont like alfalfa so dont both spending your money on it.

hope you enjoy your new geese and stick around and share your adventure with them as well as pictures too.

 

[RWise]

Its cold here now, so water first thing in the morning and several times through the day. (container they cannot get into) The pool gets changed daily (at least when I can get water through the hose, most evenings it's above freezing during a cold snap) They are getting grain in the morning and evening, though sometimes they dont eat it till the next day (and that days grain also,,,). They have plenty of greens at this time, winter wheat, etc. When they choose a nesting area I will fence that area off. I thought he would be glad to take care of 2 females, and with "Christmas Dinner" gone there is no more fighting!
When I was a youngun, Mom n Dad got a pair of geese, when she set I was the only one he/she would let near the nest. I would pat her on her breast and she would stand up and let me look at the eggs, he stood back and squawked/hissed!! (they never hatched anything though they tried time after time) It would be nice if these were so nice, we'll see! (Dream on right)

Thanx!!

 

[pinkchick]

Thank you both for the advise!

They do have a light on in their coop, it comes on just before dusk and goes out at 10PM. I do take their feed in there for them but they just won't eat it in there, I end up having to take it out and let them eat it whilst it sits on the ground in front of me outside the coop. When they finish I put it up. I have hung the feeder in the coop and left the door open hoping that they would go in and I could shut the door behind them if I saw that they did go in, but they don't and the next morning the feeder hasn't been touched. They have 2 five gallon waters in their coop that they never touch. They will only drink out of the waterer in the commons area.
DH has agreed to help herd them in with me tonight as we are going to try to locking in method for a few nights and see what happens with that. Who would have thought that trying to herd 2 geese would take 2 people?

Could they be upset that I downsized the gaggle? I sold 4 of the 6 that I had because we are planning to sell our home and moving, I just couldn't see traveling across a couple of states with 6 geese, 6 goats,15 chickens, 2 dogs and 2 cats.

I did notice that before the other geese went to their new homes that atleast they would wander into their coop, albeit they didn't stay in there long at all, but atleast they used to go in at one time.

Thanks again and I will let you know how the next few nights work out.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL! May it be a very safe and fun one for you!

We are getting ready for my New Year's Eve Birthday Bash! Expecting about 40 friends and family members along with 2 bands for some live music.......it's gonna be a blast!

 

[Going Bhonkers]

Thank you both for the advise!

They do have a light on in their coop, it comes on just before dusk and goes out at 10PM. I do take their feed in there for them but they just won't eat it in there, I end up having to take it out and let them eat it whilst it sits on the ground in front of me outside the coop. When they finish I put it up. I have hung the feeder in the coop and left the door open hoping that they would go in and I could shut the door behind them if I saw that they did go in, but they don't and the next morning the feeder hasn't been touched. They have 2 five gallon waters in their coop that they never touch. They will only drink out of the waterer in the commons area.
DH has agreed to help herd them in with me tonight as we are going to try to locking in method for a few nights and see what happens with that. Who would have thought that trying to herd 2 geese would take 2 people?

- What's more embarrassing is that it took two of us to herd them as goslings!

Happy Birthday to you!!!