What breed would best suit my needs?

[HeavensHens88]

I agree with TSW99 on this:

you won't find a breed that will be perfect for all needs but what I think Carrosaur was saying embdens are friendly to humans which they usually are. I would think any bird large in size would take advantage of that by being agressive to smaller birds.

I hope you're not mad, everyone!

 

[Wheeks]

Yes my main concern would be for them to be non aggressive to the other birds (and me!) because I would like to house them all together. The rest of the flock includes bantams, chickens, and runner ducks.

 

[HeavensHens88]

I'm sorry, Carrosaur, for not "agreeing" with you!

 

[HeavensHens88]

I definantly suggest American Buff or Toulouse for friendliness to humans and other poultry. But they don't lay as many eggs............................................................

 

[TSW99]

I agree with TSW99 on this:
I hope you're not mad, everyone! 

alls good

 

[Wheeks]

Though the reason for getting them would be eggs, I'd much rather them be friendly and get less eggs. Would having girls or a bonded pair, or a single goose best?

 

[Carrosaur]

Though the reason for getting them would be eggs, I'd much rather them be friendly and get less eggs. Would having girls or a bonded pair, or a single goose best?

Bonded pair is always the best. But two of the same gender is good, but never a single.

 

[SillyCityGirl]

I have bantam chickens, big chickens, ducks and geese all free ranging around in my fencend in front yard. They do harrass the smaller birds mostly just chasing and have never seriously injured any of them. 98% of the time things are very calm. I have an Africans and Tufted Romans. I chose the Romans because of thier smaller size = less feed. I have only had one of my three Roman ganders ever "goose" me during early spring. He is also the gander that held me and a bunch of young ones hostage in the goose box until the hawk circling overhead left the area. My African gander, Lucien, absolutely adores me and has came to my rescue on several occasions when a rooster has had his brain fall out of his head and try to jump me so Lu would charge over and proceed to pull out the roosters tail feathers usually after getting drug across the yard. I also got caught in the middle of a goose love triangle between Lu and a female african who loved him and bit me a couple times but mostly just told me off before I finally convinced her I wasn't interested in him that way. I love my africans but no more of them for me, they are not quiet. My Romans have been very easy keepers usually very calm and quiet but they can get loud when they need to. They all seem to be bullies and dog chasers to an extent but when it comes to bullying me it is usually just bluff. The boys just seem to get a little hissy during breeding season, like standing 12 feet away and hissing then turning and running when I walk towards them. I can also walk in and pick up goslings they hatch out with out getting attacked although I do get told off.

The buff and toulouse I have been around are also very nice temper but the Romans are just as nice to me with a lower food bill.

I also have multiple feeding stations set up cause the geese do not exactly like to share feeding with the chickens. They share with the ducks sometimes but not the chickens.

All in all I think that the benefits outweigh the negatives with having geese in the flock. Between them and the dogs I am able to free range my smaller birds without predator losses.

I also agree with the 2 geese minimum.