Thinking About Adding Geese

[mylilchix]

Ok, so I'm thinking about adding geese to the "farm". Is it all right to have them live with the chickens? What special requirements do I need to think about if I do add them? If their in with chickens should I get a pair or is 1 ok? I need to over research this a bit before I make my final decision!!

Thanks,
Sonja

 

[Duck Keeper]

Don't let your geese be lonely by themselves! If you get some, get at leat a pair. They'll spend almost all of their time mowing the lawn for you, so let them have access to grass if you can. Cuts down on feed.

 

[Harley's girl]

I got mine and had not planned to keep them for too long. Now, I just don't think I can part with them. Mine are in with my chickens and ducks and guineas.....BTW they hate guineas! LOL When I have the run shut I still let them out to free range, they generally stay out of my garden which is a good thing.

I have embden's and until just today I thought I had 2 sisters! LOL You can read all about it here. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=151038 I am a newbie at the geese. But I am enjoying them. They are so different than my chickens. And my ducks are so cute....but the geese are almost majestic looking. They glide rather than walk. They are fun! But beware......they do poop a TON!!!

Just thought you should know.

 

[Mojo Chick'n]

Well, in my "vast" experience (all of about three weeks or so)....

My geese pretty much don't care about the ducks or the chickens - unless treats are involved, then get outta their way!!!

They ignore the ducks, the chickens they ignore mostly, unless the geese are shut into the chicken run (which I do at night for their safety) and the chickens are still in the run, too. I've gotten into the habit of putting the chickens into the coop and letting the geese have the run at night.

My gander did pick up my Dellie Roo (!!) and throw him across the run once - cause the roo got too close to his goosey girl. Otherwise, the geese don't bother the chickens to "pick at" them. But, I figure the geese (and that Dellie Roo) are happier not being in the same space.

It also makes it easier on me, because I can run the chickens inside, then leave the run door open so the geese can go in when they are ready -- no chasing or coaxing them - they'll go in at dusk happily on their own, then I just go out and shut the door. It saves me spending a lot of wasted time trying to get them into the run.

I am building a waterfowl pen, and hope to convince the geese that this is a better alternative to the chicken run for nighttime accomodations.

I would definately have two of them - one of them may decide to find a "mate" with someone (some species) who isn't interested in their attentions

Or it might just get nasty tempered because it's alone - like I said, my Vast Knowledge runs all of three weeks of owning geese - only thing I recall from my childhood is the geese were mean and chased us kids and tried to bite us all the time.

Thank goodness the two I have now are not agressive.

meri

 

[Mojo Chick'n]

Harley's girl :

I got mine and had not planned to keep them for too long. Now, I just don't think I can part with them. Mine are in with my chickens and ducks and guineas.....BTW they hate guineas! LOL When I have the run shut I still let them out to free range, they generally stay out of my garden which is a good thing.

I have embden's and until just today I thought I had 2 sisters! LOL You can read all about it here. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=151038 I am a newbie at the geese. But I am enjoying them. They are so different than my chickens. And my ducks are so cute....but the geese are almost majestic looking. They glide rather than walk. They are fun! But beware......they do poop a TON!!!

Just thought you should know.

I got mine for a friend, who decided he didn't want them - so they stay (I like them, though

hubby wasn't too sure at first.)

Oh, and I totally understand them hating the guineas

I don't "hate" guineas, but I wouldn't ever have them around the farm again.

And... pooping a lot

- earlier I was standing on the porch talking on the phone, my geese were sleeping in the driveway, heads tucked under wings - the gander slightly lifted his tail (without moving his head from under said wing) and shot poo out his butt for a good 8 inch distance.
Glad I don't do that when I'm sleeping!!!!

meri​

 

[Harley's girl]

Mojo Chick'n :

Harley's girl :

I got mine and had not planned to keep them for too long. Now, I just don't think I can part with them. Mine are in with my chickens and ducks and guineas.....BTW they hate guineas! LOL When I have the run shut I still let them out to free range, they generally stay out of my garden which is a good thing.

I have embden's and until just today I thought I had 2 sisters! LOL You can read all about it here. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=151038 I am a newbie at the geese. But I am enjoying them. They are so different than my chickens. And my ducks are so cute....but the geese are almost majestic looking. They glide rather than walk. They are fun! But beware......they do poop a TON!!!

Just thought you should know.

I got mine for a friend, who decided he didn't want them - so they stay (I like them, though

hubby wasn't too sure at first.)

Oh, and I totally understand them hating the guineas

I don't "hate" guineas, but I wouldn't ever have them around the farm again.

And... pooping a lot

- earlier I was standing on the porch talking on the phone, my geese were sleeping in the driveway, heads tucked under wings - the gander slightly lifted his tail (without moving his head from under said wing) and shot poo out his butt for a good 8 inch distance.
Glad I don't do that when I'm sleeping!!!!

meri​

OMGOODNESS!!! That pretty impressive! I am so glad I don't do that either! LOLOL I am betting my DH would be gone by now! LOLOL

 

[mylilchix]

Oooo, didn't think about the poo thing! Thanks for the info. It definitely helped!

Sonja