Thinkin' about getting some geese!

[sred98]

I have to say, I broke down and got 3 Brown Chinese geese from a lady here in town, and I might actually love watching and interacting with them more than chickens!

I never thought I would say that, but from the day I got them, they just look at you with such love, and they follow you everywhere! Mine are just starting to feather out pretty good, so I am not sure if they go through the crazy chicken phase where they think everyone is trying to kill them, but so far they haven't.

I had mine separated in the coop from the chickens by 3 ft chicken wire, but the chickens decided they liked their area better, so they are all mixed in together now. The geese don't mind the chickens, unless they step on their backs, then they hiss at them. I think the geese are too big for even the big chickens to pick on, too. Mine all follow each other around, when I am not out there. But, if I am outside, they are practically standing on my feet talking to me.

They actually follow the inflection and cadence of my voice and peep or honk back at me in the same rhythm! I absolutely love them. They leave the dog alone, but she doesn't harrass them, either. They are terrified of the horses, so I don't think I will have a problem with them being in the stock tanks! LOL! The horses are fascinated, so they all cluster at the fence when the geese wander over. Then the geese run screaming away.

Poor horses! One of them just wants to rub his face on the down. He does the same thing to the dog, cat, sheep, goats, and us! LOL! Te geese and chickens want no part of it, though! He's very gentle, and it's more his lips, but I guess they don't want to take any chances! Poor Chico!

Anyway, I'd definitely get at least 2, probably 3 or 4 would be better. That way if something happened to one, there would still be another one or two. I really don't think there's much difference between having 2 or 4 geese. They all pile on each other and sleep, and it would keep flying predators at bay if there were more large birds, you know?

Good Luck!

Shelly

P.S.-definitely check out Cottage Rose's page! Her birds are amazing! That is what made me decide to get geese! I got mine locally, though, from a breeder here. I wanted a more aggressive goose for "watchdog" purposes.

P.S.S.-

 

[phoenix_rising]

lol no problem! It's still useful information. Ok..two would be a great start for us I think. We allow all our animals free range during the day, so how big should a night time house be?
I live in NE Washington so we do get a heavy winter snow, so in the winter our chickens do stay inside only because they can't tolerate the snow. (I've read that chickens have no issues with snow but my birds just...must be wimps or something!) So I'd need to take that into account when creating a house for the geese.
I had read somewhere that chicken's require one and a half square feet per bird of indoor space...so I took that and doubled it and that's what my hens have. So is there any kind of guide that you suggest for geese indoor space? Thanks! I am getting so excited to go and get my new geese!

 

[Cottage Rose]

Geese are very winter hardy but do appreciate night time shelter/protection from predators and extreme wet, windy or blizzardy weather.
I don't know the square footage requirements for geese
and I suppose the "how big" question depends on what type of building you want to make. Bigger is usually better. Do you want a coop you can walk into or just big enough for them? I would say at least big enough where they aren't cramped together, tall enough to give them some good head space and so they don't get claustrophobic if you shut them in.
For a walk-in building, my new 10' x 12' chicken coop would be ideal for 2-4 geese. Mine is divided down the middle. I put feed and equipment on one side and birds on the other.