Topic of the Week - Getting Started, Keeping Geese

[Chickielady]

It can be caused by a tiny cut or scratch too which bacteria can enter. Not sure about the heredity part since bumble is a staff infection. That's a shame it has been so bad in your Muscovy's have you had any other poultry to have this problem?

I agree here, any animal that stands in mud or soil that has animal feces in it, with an open wound on the foot, will get a bumble.
It happens, and often hard to avoid it.
Injuries to the feet can be from rocks or jumping down and landing on a pebble.
Once the bacteria is in there, the bumble plug begins, and it is a nightmare to cure, especially in water fowl.
I have raised Muscovy here and had no issue of them ever getting bumbles.

 

[Henrik Petersson]

I agree here, any animal that stands in mud or soil that has animal feces in it, with an open wound on the foot, will get a bumble.
It happens, and often hard to avoid it.
Injuries to the feet can be from rocks or jumping down and landing on a pebble.
Once the bacteria is in there, the bumble plug begins, and it is a nightmare to cure, especially in water fowl.
I have raised Muscovy here and had no issue of them ever getting bumbles.

How do you ever keep them from standing in mud and soil with feces in it? Do you rotate their pen once a week or something?

 

[Widlast]

I use sand in my run for my chickens. Would this be ok for geese when the need to be penned and not out on the grass? I would have a seperate pen for the geese

Sand would be just fine. I use mulch for part of mine. During the warmer parts of the year I go out and clip grass for them and put in in a large tray with water, both they and the ducks enjoy it immensely.

 

[jvls1942]

If you don't live in a rock quarry but do have sod for them to walk on, you should have no problem with bumble foot.
sure, on occasion they might step on something sharp, but it is rare.
that is for web footed fowl.
chickens manage to cut their feet on something, no matter how you try to prevent it..
I have seen chickens fly up onto the top strand of a barbed wire fence. do you suppose that is one way ??
I used to raise flocks of muscovy and geese..
my last flock of muscovy was 72 of them,,
my largest flock of geese was 28 of them..

the tamest kinds of geese I ever had were Emdens and the pair of toulouse I have right now.
the wildest were Sebastopols ..
I don't think there is a best breed of goose, chicken or duck. everybody has their favorites based on their own experiences.
I do believe that Africans are the noisiest.
their screech can shatter glass..
.......jiminwisc......

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Great topic! I am a 3rd generation goose keeper. They are not for everyone. Visit a breeder if you can, so you see what you are getting into. Hear what the breed sounds like, and if you have neighbors are they tolerant? Geese are a big bird, are you comfortable with the size? The age range has already been mentioned and its true. My grandmother had geese easily live 20 years. The eggs are amazing and make wonderful baked goods! I keep brown Chinese, they have been my favorite. But I am very hard of hearing LOL!

I will say a gosling is the most precious little being you will ever meet! If you want alarm geese, limit the contact they have with "strangers" people or animals. They will naturally know what animals are "safe" and what are not. I have seen very few outright attacks, but the one I remember most is a mean rooster getting flogged for attacking me! (yes freezer camp for the rooster) If you have other animals they learn quickly who is the normal critters. My geese will go into my cow and goat pastures no problem. If you want pets and eggs, Socialize! Especially as goslings. If you plan to get a started or mature pair, see how they were raised if possible.
We don't eat our geese because they are pets with a dual purpose. My started goslings go to to my Veterinarians farm, he has an organic operation for poultry. They are kept behind electro netting, and pastures are rotated weekly. The geese live with hundreds of other turkeys, ducks and chickens and help him deter Arial predators. Hawks will not challenge an adult flock of geese. Its saved him a loss of a few hundred birds per season. In turn, they have excellent food, a very large pond and a safe barn to sleep in. Some are 5 years old now, feels good to see them when I visit.

 

[Henrik Petersson]

Hmm... About that "will they honk at everyone walking on the path next to our yard", I gather from the comments that they will eventually get used to people?

So maybe they'll "warn" for a few months, then stop?

 

[Widlast]

"If you want pets and eggs, Socialize! Especially as goslings."

That can't be said enough. I've been with my 3 African Geese daily since they were 3 days old. When I'm not in the pen they come up to the fence to see what's up (and the gander threatens the dog). When I'm in with them they're not shy at all, they will tug at my clothes occasionally, probably begging for treats. African Geese are loud though.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Hmm... About that "will they honk at everyone walking on the path next to our yard", I gather from the comments that they will eventually get used to people?

So maybe they'll "warn" for a few months, then stop?

Possibly if its a normal event, they will adjust. Is there a barrier preventing them to go to the path? I would be concerned they might follow and get lost or worse.

 

[prospecthill]

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First and foremost, when getting ready to get geese, please do not plan on getting only one. I see a lot of people thinking they just want one and it will be fine living with their ducks, or they want to get one to 'guard' their chickens. Geese are very social and really do need to have a companion of their own species, and I know this from experience after accidentally owning just one goose for two years.

- How much space does geese need?

Geese, being bigger than chickens and ducks, need more space than they do. I would say allow at least six square feet per goose in the coop, and make their run as large as you can. They are grass eaters, so the more grass they have access to eat, the happier they will be, and the lower your feed bill will be. I'd say at least 20 square feet per goose, and more if possible.

- What breed(s) are good for beginners?

Any breed that's on the gentle and docile side would be good for beginners. Smaller breeds might be easier for beginners too. I breed Roman Tufteds, which are the smallest domestic breed, and they are gentle, docile, friendly little geese, and would be good for beginners from what I have experienced. Sebastopols are also a smaller goose and are known to be friendly and docile, so they may be a good choice as well. Americans are a calm breed, and would also be a good choice.

- Are geese easy or hard to keep?

Geese are pretty easy keepers. If you can keep chickens or ducks, you can keep geese (as long as you're okay with the occasional bouts of noisy honking). Really, all they need is a coop, a roomy, grassy, run, feed, and a pool to swim in, and they will be happy.

- Getting started with goslings or mature birds, which is better?

I started with goslings, and I'm glad I did. It's a little extra work at first, but really they're no harder to raise as babies than ducklings are. Starting with goslings allows you to bond with them when they are small, and they might even imprint on you. All my geese that I currently have, I raised from goslings.

Adults have an advantage in that all you have to do is buy them and then turn them out in their coop and run, and that's it. Goslings take more work at first, but it's very rewarding to raise them from babies. Plus, goslings are the sweetest, cutest babies.

If, however, you don't care about having a bond with your geese or being hands on with them, then mature geese are easier and the way to go.

 

[Chickielady]

How do you ever keep them from standing in mud and soil with feces in it? Do you rotate their pen once a week or something?

We have the geese in a fenced orchard right now, expecting them to pair off and find a nest spot any day now..........In chicken coop runs, we have pea gravel, and if it gets mushy with poopy mud, I hose it with the high pressure well pump. This sends a pyroclactic flow of goop down the hill, and leaves the coop runs pristine.