Toulouse Geese Thread

[Clodhoppers]

My three week old Toulouse goslings.
They love to eat those dandelions...
I looked up to see what the little guy was checking up there and it really was a bald eagle flying way up high.
Not sure if some of the goslings are putting on "baby fat" or is it normal...
They do have access to all the grass and dandelions they can eat all day. While they are locked into their brooder house at night, I give a good 4 cups of flock raiser for the seven goslings. The feeder is always empty in the morning. This morning they really seemed like they wanted some additional grains, so I gave them 2 more cups. The goslings immediately chowed down on the grains for a while, started grazing and left some crumbles behind until late this afternoon.

Oh yes, I did start out with 8 goslings. The smallest and loudest hatchling did not grow even with all the TLC he got and died only a few days old.

 

[kukupecpec]

I have been dying for one of these for what seems like forever! And my feed store just got some goslings in!!!!
I was wondering if you folks could help me out?
S/he is going to be a house goose. I have house chickens (Serama) who wear diapers all day and then are free in their "coop" (the bottom level of my Rabbit Tower) all night. They have free reign even when I'm not home, they are like dogs. I plan to do the same thing with my new goose!
Do you guys keep your Toulouse with chickens?
Does it matter what gender I get? They are straight run, but I watched a video about how to vent sex goslings and tried it out at the feed store (they are always happy to let me practice my sexing techniques on any animals they have) and I think I was successful, so if gender matters I can at least TRY =)

My husband is worried that s/he will be lonely if I only buy one. What do you guys think? If I need to buy a pair, I will would be happy to, but I really only WANT one.






Taco and his girlfriends are excited for their new friend!

 

[gryeyes]

I keep my Toulouse geese with my chickens, ducks and turkeys.

I thought I had a pair but both are ganders. It's Spring, which means breeding season, so the two of them range at different ends of the yard, for the most part, this time of year. When they run into each other, there is a bit of neck wrestling, feather-pullinf and the like, but nothing awful. "Kate" (oops, thought he was a girl) is duck-centric and hangs with the ducks, whilst Angus hangs out with the chickens.

I wouldn't have just one goose, but I did wish I didn't have two ganders when they argue. They'll be fine later in the year when the hormones diminish.

Goose poop is NOT like chicken poop. I have a house chicken which wears a diaper, so I know what I am talking about. Goose poop is seldom solid, and they sure can shoot that noxious liquid crap out of their butts!

Also, Toulouse geese are BIG. Rottweiler big of the poultry world. Not too suitable for living in the house. I wouldn't do it. (And I have more than one house chicken.)

Just sayin'.

 

[kukupecpec]

I keep my Toulouse geese with my chickens, ducks and turkeys.

I thought I had a pair but both are ganders. It's Spring, which means breeding season, so the two of them range at different ends of the yard, for the most part, this time of year. When they run into each other, there is a bit of neck wrestling, feather-pullinf and the like, but nothing awful. "Kate" (oops, thought he was a girl) is duck-centric and hangs with the ducks, whilst Angus hangs out with the chickens.

I wouldn't have just one goose, but I did wish I didn't have two ganders when they argue. They'll be fine later in the year when the hormones diminish.

Goose poop is NOT like chicken poop. I have a house chicken which wears a diaper, so I know what I am talking about. Goose poop is seldom solid, and they sure can shoot that noxious liquid crap out of their butts!

Also, Toulouse geese are BIG. Rottweiler big of the poultry world. Not too suitable for living in the house. I wouldn't do it. (And I have more than one house chicken.)

Just sayin'.

The diapers that I got take real diapers as inserts (although as soon as I get a chance I will be making washable fabric inserts) but I'm glad you told me about the liquid poop! I wondered why it didn't just have a cup like chicken diapers.

I picked Toulouse because of the size and disposition =) I hope to at least give it a shot. If it doesn't work, the goose can always live full time with the chickens.
Thank you though! I am still debating getting two instead of just one though.

 

[Miss Lydia]

My three week old Toulouse goslings.
They love to eat those dandelions...
I looked up to see what the little guy was checking up there and it really was a bald eagle flying way up high.
Not sure if some of the goslings are putting on "baby fat" or is it normal...
They do have access to all the grass and dandelions they can eat all day. While they are locked into their brooder house at night, I give a good 4 cups of flock raiser for the seven goslings. The feeder is always empty in the morning. This morning they really seemed like they wanted some additional grains, so I gave them 2 more cups. The goslings immediately chowed down on the grains for a while, started grazing and left some crumbles behind until late this afternoon.

Oh yes, I did start out with 8 goslings. The smallest and loudest hatchling did not grow even with all the TLC he got and died only a few days old.

I am in love they are so beautiful and not fat just healthy. I'd let them eat as much as they want they are growing so fast and look to have ample greens to go with that grain..

 

[Clodhoppers]

Thanks Miss Lydia!
I am sure the goslings will appreciate your advice as well.
The plan is to have the geese help with mowing the orchard eventually.

And of course keep me company...

 

[kukupecpec]

I live in the desert and we just can't get any grass to grow at our house. What can I feed my little gosling for greens if we don't have any grass?
What should I be feeding as crumble? I've never seen gosling crumble at the feed store =P

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

grow fodder for them, there are entire threads here on BYC about how to do so. This will keep expense down for you and a steady supply of greens for them.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I live in the desert and we just can't get any grass to grow at our house. What can I feed my little gosling for greens if we don't have any grass?
What should I be feeding as crumble? I've never seen gosling crumble at the feed store =P

There is duckling/gosling feed but it can't be found all over the country, most of us use and all flock feed and supplement with niacin.

 

[kukupecpec]

Well I brought her home!!!!

Thanks for the fodder lead! I spent an hour or so immersed in information and started putting together materials I already have.

What is niacin? Do you know why they need it?