Topic of the Week - Getting Started, Keeping Geese

[Pyxis]

I am interested in either miniature geese or Sebastopol Geese. I only have 3/4 of an acre. I don't want to breed so I was thinking 2 males or 2 females. If I get them young can I raise them with chicks?

If you're planning on keeping them with chickens, go with the females. A gander could really hurt or even kill a chicken trying to mate with it. You can raise them with chickens - my goose Lacie was raised with chickens - but they will quickly outgrow the chicks and there is the danger that they might step on them and hurt them. I recently raised a roman tufted with Calls and he was very careful of them and did not hurt them, but it's something to be aware of.

Another thing that happens is that chicks mature much more quickly than goslings do, so even though your goslings will be bigger, the growing chicks might actually start to bully them.

A divided brooder, so that they can see and interact with each other but can't actually get to each other, might be a good plan. That way they still grow up together but no one gets hurt.

 

[jvls1942]

I am interested in either miniature geese or Sebastopol Geese. I only have 3/4 of an acre. I don't want to breed so I was thinking 2 males or 2 females. If I get them young can I raise them with chicks?

I have raised all types of baby birds in mixed batches. the babies don't know they are different than any others.
one year I had a mix of over 100 babies.
chickens, guineas, geese, turkeys and even a couple of peacocks..
whatever came out of the incubator, went into that pen..
the only drawback with getting full grown geese is that they will already have their mind set. I once got a few Sebastopols, and after 3 years, they were as wild as the day I got them..very pretty, though..
Emdens and Toulouse were the quietest and tamest ones I ever had..
you can "talk" to my gander and he will answer you.. I just imitate his nyuck, nyuck sound.. I am glad that nobody sees me doing this.

 

[Chickielady]

Don't overlook that they do require water to bathe several times a week, and a fresh bucket of water to drink, daily. They must flush out their bills which do get packed with mud and grass.....we use a 5 gallon bucket so they do not get in it and soil it.
They do not absolutely have to have a pond, although they love it !

Also do not overlook the fact that they make noise.
Especially if they are raised by yourself, as ours were, they LOVE us and squeal and honk up a storm that can be heard for quite a way away.
They are happy to see us each time we are out in the yard or return home from town.

 

[Suzi18]

What I am thinking is raising them together when they are small and then having a pen for the geese right next to the chicken run. My hope is that they can all free range together and when they can't free range they can have their separate space. I'm hoping to find mini Sebastopol geese.

 

[Suzi18]

If you're planning on keeping them with chickens, go with the females. A gander could really hurt or even kill a chicken trying to mate with it. You can raise them with chickens - my goose Lacie was raised with chickens - but they will quickly outgrow the chicks and there is the danger that they might step on them and hurt them. I recently raised a roman tufted with Calls and he was very careful of them and did not hurt them, but it's something to be aware of.

Another thing that happens is that chicks mature much more quickly than goslings do, so even though your goslings will be bigger, the growing chicks might actually start to bully them.

A divided brooder, so that they can see and interact with each other but can't actually get to each other, might be a good plan. That way they still grow up together but no one gets hurt.

Good advice....thank you

 

[Suzi18]

I have raised all types of baby birds in mixed batches. the babies don't know they are different than any others.
one year I had a mix of over 100 babies.
chickens, guineas, geese, turkeys and even a couple of peacocks..
whatever came out of the incubator, went into that pen..
the only drawback with getting full grown geese is that they will already have their mind set. I once got a few Sebastopols, and after 3 years, they were as wild as the day I got them..very pretty, though..
Emdens and Toulouse were the quietest and tamest ones I ever had..
you can "talk" to my gander and he will answer you.. I just imitate his nyuck, nyuck sound.. I am glad that nobody sees me doing this.

Thanks .....and I talk to my chickens all the time too. I'm sure my neighbors think I'm crazy

 

[Pyxis]

What I am thinking is raising them together when they are small and then having a pen for the geese right next to the chicken run. My hope is that they can all free range together and when they can't free range they can have their separate space. I'm hoping to find mini Sebastopol geese.

You might want to contact @learycow for mini sebs, I know she raises them

 

[jvls1942]

Thanks .....and I talk to my chickens all the time too. I'm sure my neighbors think I'm crazy

you are !! and so am I.. but ain't it fun ?

 

[Suzi18]

you are !! and so am I.. but ain't it fun ?

yes it sure is

 

[Suzi18]

You might want to contact @learycow for mini sebs, I know she raises them

I will.....thanks