What age can geese be with ducks?

[Carrosaur]

This probably should be in the geese section, but most everyone here knows stuff like this. I have a three month old Peking drake, and this Friday we are getting the three Toulouse goslings, I know that geese grow up to be bigger than ducks, but at what gas can goslings actually roam with the duck without being bullied because of their smaller size? Of course I would let them see each other through a separated fenced in area, but when are they big enough to fend for themselves?

My Pekin is not very aggressive unless there is good around, then he'll start biting your legs and fingers to get it, will he be aggressive towards the geese around food? There are two geese and one gander.

Thanks so much!!!!

 

[Starfire669]

This probably should be in the geese section, but most everyone here knows stuff like this. I have a three month old Peking drake, and this Friday we are getting the three Toulouse goslings, I know that geese grow up to be bigger than ducks, but at what gas can goslings actually roam with the duck without being bullied because of their smaller size? Of course I would let them see each other through a separated fenced in area, but when are they big enough to fend for themselves?

My Pekin is not very aggressive unless there is good around, then he'll start biting your legs and fingers to get it, will he be aggressive towards the geese around food? There are two geese and one gander.

Thanks so much!!!!

I am new to ducks and geese. But when I introduced the 5 adult ducks to my geese, the 13 week old geese bullied them. When my sister introduced a pair of ducks to her pair of geese, same thing. I also know that drakes have a very high sex drive, so when you do introduce him you will have to watch to make sure he doesn't injure the geese. My geese are now 15 weeks, and just starting dominance/mating behavior practice. Lol. But not all ducks are the same. Some drakes will adopt and care for chickens and geese, especially if they have no companions at all. So I would have to say, watch and be ready to intervene. Try seeing the drakes reaction when he can see the goslings through a fence. If he shows aggression, wait to remove the barrier. I would also recommend getting the drake a couple females. Once the geese mature, the drake may fight the gander for the ladies. Better they each have their own haram. Lol.

I hope someone with more experience can give better advice.

 

[Carrosaur]

Our poor drake used to have a girlfriend, but I wasn't paying attention and left a door open in the pin and she got out and one of our dogs broke her neck trying iy play with her... We think... So he may even reject the geese because of mourning for his lost love. Maybe not, though?

 

[Starfire669]

Our poor drake used to have a girlfriend, but I wasn't paying attention and left a door open in the pin and she got out and one of our dogs broke her neck trying iy play with her... We think... So he may even reject the geese because of mourning for his lost love. Maybe not, though?

Ducks and geese are flock animals, it's not natural for them to be alone. He may be so happy to have buddies that he adopts them. But they do have personalities, and that is what I think it will come down to. His individual personality. But getting him a girlfriend or 2 will be a good thing for him. When breeding time rolls around you don't want the drake and ganders fighting over the female geese. You should probably separate them during breeding season if it looks like trouble is brewing. I have heard of ganders trying to breed ducks and drakes trying to breed geese. 1 of my 15 week old roosters keeps trying to breed my 5 week old female gosling. (he goes to freezer camp today so problem will be solved soon). They seem get get easily sexually confused.

Since your geese will be raised from day 1 with the drake they shouldn't bully him like mine did. I raised my goslings with chickens and they are friends with their brooder mates, but the batch of chicks I added later they are not friends with. It took them nearly 2 weeks to stop harassing the ducks, now they get along. But the ducks do get out of the pools when the geese come by. (I have 3 pools, each set in a different corner of the yard to help everyone get swim time).

I am sorry I am not more help. As said I have only had my chickens and geese for 15 weeks and they were purchased as day olds. The ducks were added 3 weeks ago, they needed a home. Since then I added some ducklings who are a week old today.

 

[Carrosaur]

I can try to get another duck or two for my poor lonely boy, right now a stuffed skunk keeps him company... I'm already pushing it with the geese, though.

Another issuE, the yard we plan go keep them in has a pool... Anyway we can keep them out? We don't mind them being in it but drinking chlorine and bathing in it without washing it off is NOT good for any living creature.

 

[Carrosaur]

This is the pin we plan on keeping the geese in while they are young and keeping the drake in the bigger fenced in pool area, we don't have the materials to build a permanent pin for then at the moment, and we may be moving soon, so I am doing the best i can.

 

[Starfire669]

I can try to get another duck or two for my poor lonely boy, right now a stuffed skunk keeps him company... I'm already pushing it with the geese, though.

Another issuE, the yard we plan go keep them in has a pool... Anyway we can keep them out? We don't mind them being in it but drinking chlorine and bathing in it without washing it off is NOT good for any living creature.

Only thing I can think of is to fence off the pool. You are right in that the chlorine is not good for them.

 

[Carrosaur]

That is probably what we will do. We will most likely change where they live throughout the year so they don't destroy the grass.

 

[Carrosaur]

Here is the area we plan on keeping them in once they reach four months old.

 

[Starfire669]

That is probably what we will do. We will most likely change where they live throughout the year so they don't destroy the grass.

If you have predator problems a mobile tractor is a good solution. Or, if your yard is securely fenced you can try letting them free range. This is what I do. So far they have not destroyed the grass. They go wherever the grass is most tender and eat there. As a benefit they also poo where they eat and so the grass grows greener and faster. Being in Texas, they do prefer the shade, so the grass under my trees is noticeably healthier and shorter. Lol. The geese do go out to the sunny spots in early morning and late evening, but during the hot part of the day they are in the shade.