Thinking about adding Geese

[MandaRae]

We have been considering Geese but a few people told me they are mean and I've held off getting some.
What if we hatch them ourselves and just keep interacting with them is that better? I have small kids and don't want to deal with them getting attacked.
Are there certain breeds that are better than the others?

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

What is your purpose for the geese? To breed?
If it's not to breed, I'd get 2 female geese. I have American Buffs and the girls are so loving to me and other humans. However, if they are not raised with ducks they will be nasty to them.
Mine chase the chickens and harass them just to be jerks. I have a male, and I wish I didn't most days.

 

[MandaRae]

What is your purpose for the geese? To breed?
If it's not to breed, I'd get 2 female geese. I have American Buffs and the girls are so loving to me and other humans. However, if they are not raised with ducks they will be nasty to them.
Mine chase the chickens and harass them just to be jerks. I have a male, and I wish I didn't most days.

Not planning to breed. More for eggs and fun

 

[MandaRae]

What is your purpose for the geese? To breed?
If it's not to breed, I'd get 2 female geese. I have American Buffs and the girls are so loving to me and other humans. However, if they are not raised with ducks they will be nasty to them.
Mine chase the chickens and harass them just to be jerks. I have a male, and I wish I didn't most days.

I don't plan on getting ducks anytime soon. We mostly have chickens and are getting Turkeys this year.

 

[telandra2]

1 have 4 African/Chinese acquired on 2 separate occasions as adults from Craigslist and they are all super friendly. They'll walk across the yard to visit with me, supervise gardening, 'help' me read, stalker peek at windows/doors, etc. The gander is the friendliest and brings the flock. I've picked gander no problems. I picked up a broody hen off the nest yesterday and no hissing or biting.

They do yell at and chase neighbors so it probably depends on socialization for 'their' flock. They also aren't big on petting, but I don't try to touch much.

 

[Goosebaby]

Geese bond really strongly to whoever spends a lot of time with them. If you raise them and spend as much time with them as you would any loved pet they’ll love you back just as much.

But everyone who wants a friendly relationship with them has to put in the time. If one family member doesn’t the geese will see them as a nuisance or possible rival.

I agree with @BirdsBeesTrees, two female Buffs are your best choice if you want mellow geese. Ganders are great and I have mostly ganders but I wouldn’t recommend ganders if you’re planning on small children interacting with them. It isn’t an issue if they raise them, it’s just that ganders can get a little too feisty in breeding season for a small child to deal with.

Ultimately geese all have different personalities, you can get sweet and completely harmless ganders and warrior queen girls that no one is safe around, so just keep in mind that when it comes to animals chaos happens.

 

[MandaRae]

Geese bond really strongly to whoever spends a lot of time with them. If you raise them and spend as much time with them as you would any loved pet they’ll love you back just as much.

But everyone who wants a friendly relationship with them has to put in the time. If one family member doesn’t the geese will see them as a nuisance or possible rival.

I agree with @BirdsBeesTrees, two female Buffs are your best choice if you want mellow geese. Ganders are great and I have mostly ganders but I wouldn’t recommend ganders if you’re planning on small children interacting with them. It isn’t an issue if they raise them, it’s just that ganders can get a little too feisty in breeding season for a small child to deal with.

Ultimately geese all have different personalities, you can get sweet and completely harmless ganders and warrior queen girls that no one is safe around, so just keep in mind that when it comes to animals chaos happens.

We will probably stick with females if we do get 1 or 2.
Might wait till next year so we can focus on a good coop for them.

 

[everyday_farmlife]

Hey, we got 2 pilgrim geese a female and a male and they were the most loving and friendly geese you've ever seen I have 3 kids under 4 and the geese would actually follow them around the yard like shadows they only had to be locked up if people came over they went a council guy (local laws officer) before we realised chased him to his car it was kinda funny... the female in particular was super protective of my kids and if other kids came over and weren't physically right with one of my kids or us she'd chase them and honk.
We did get our female Tonka first as a gosling though, raised her with 2w old chicks and she was the greatest mum figure to them even tried to take another hens chicks at 4m old then we got Bandit at 3m old when Tonka was 6/7m old

 

[Goosebaby]

Hey, we got 2 pilgrim geese a female and a male and they were the most loving and friendly geese you've ever seen I have 3 kids under 4 and the geese would actually follow them around the yard like shadows they only had to be locked up if people came over they went a council guy (local laws officer) before we realised chased him to his car it was kinda funny... the female in particular was super protective of my kids and if other kids came over and weren't physically right with one of my kids or us she'd chase them and honk.
We did get our female Tonka first as a gosling though, raised her with 2w old chicks and she was the greatest mum figure to them even tried to take another hens chicks at 4m old then we got Bandit at 3m old when Tonka was 6/7m old

It sounds like you’ve got a wonderful little gaggle!

 

[Callender Girl]

I bought my American Buff girls, Gussie and Golly, from the local feed store when they were just days old and the last two goslings in the brooder.

While I will admit that Golly has Much More Attitude than the Very Sweet Gussie, they are not at all aggressive to me (except the mandatory hiss when I am stealing eggs) or to visitors.

They do like to walk up behind the runner ducks and march them across the yard for no apparent reason, but the big bullies will turn and run if a single chicken stands its ground.
I absolutely LOVE these beauties!

But they are two completely different girls. Gussie will allow me to pick her up when necessary and will snuggle her head onto my shoulder.

Golly has no sentimental attachment to me, and sees no good reason for me to ever carry her anywhere. Of course, she's the one who recently injured her foot and had to have oral meds for 10 days. I am pleased to say we both came through the experience unscathed -- which is amazing considering I have been known to get a wing to the face when Golly was upset. She's never being mean, just trying to escape my helpful grip.

The geese are also the most entertaining of my poultry. One has been known to steal a coop-cleaning glove and run around the yard, refusing to give it back. Also, their "zoomies," where they run like the length of the driveway and take into the air for about two seconds, are hilarious. And, they call back and forth, excitedly, when they lose sight of each other, until they find the "missing" girl.

My advice: Get Geese!