What do I feed my geese?

[ellenmartin]

It's at night you really ahve to worry about the bobcats and coyotes... not so muc hduring he day unless the woods are right close by - if you have a donkey or other farm animals hanging around where the geese are they keep an eye out and may sound an alarm if they see one.....

Others may have a different opinion on that...

Just put them up at night locked tight - if barn is open for things to come and go ...... the coyotes and bobcats will have no problem sneaking into it and grabbing one of your geese and running out.

Get some wire and make sure they are in atleast a 8x10 area (with that many geese).

 

[Chikn-Chik]

Ok will do! The stall is completely enclosed around the bottom, while the upper part is wooden boards, nothing could get in there. Does anyone have any ideas on how to help them become more used to you? They see me and go the other way, and I don't want them to be that scared of me.

I've been spending lots of time with them each day, but everytime I go to move they hiss and squawk. I sit at one end of the stall and they are at the other.

 

[ellenmartin]

They are in a new place, you have to get them settled with an outdoor and indoor routine and environment - it is going to take some time - maybe a month or so before they get used to you or trust you at thispoint - put yourself and your family in their shoes - uprooted, displaced ,strange environment and strangers coming at you - scared, not knowing what to expect, strange feed that you're not used to and trying to raise the two goslings you have left.... it isn't easy. They're not stupid creatures.

They are also doing this to tell you to stay back from them and the babies - it is a normal response and most recognized response in geese. They are not mean like peoeple tihng - they do this to say 'don't touch the babies' basically. Just stand still when they come at you and raise your arms so you don't get nipped.... talk sweetly to the one charging you and stand your ground, it is all posturing that's it.

When you have a little fruit and veggies (not spinach) and nothing with hard peelings (read about what treats online here) take in there and squat down to their level and put a little pan in there for them. Stay squatted near them but give them space to eat the food... do this enough and they will realize you are the provider and soon welcome the sight of you someday being able to hold it out in your hand for them to pick up.

Do not give bread or other bad things especially since whaty ou give the babies are going to be getting into at this point.

Not standing tall over them is key - you have to sit or squat down on their level and use the same phrases or tones with them, mimic their sounds back to them, be one of them basically. Take a little chair or short stool and just sit with them for a bit..... it's how geese learn to accept you as friend and not foe. It does take a little time but you gotta if you're going to keep them...

 

[queenbeezz]

OK, let's not beat up the newbie. We were all there at one time. She has joined this forum because she cares and wants to do things right.

The heavier lettuces and greens like Romaine, Collards, cabbage and kale do contain some nutrients but they are right, grass is essential.The fruits I mentioned in my previous post are given as treats.

I would be most worried about predators at night. Until the geese get the idea that they are home and know their territory and that they need to go in at night I would keep them fenced and move the fence everyday. Give them the treats in the evening, in their pen to encourage them to come in.

They can be herded with a big sitck. When I was in Ireland a few years ago I saw a man herding about a hundred geese down the road to a lake woth a big shepards crook. They were just waddling along.

 

[Chikn-Chik]

Ok I've made the first step!

got a place measured off and went to the tsc and bought some fencing and posts. Who knew it would cost so much..

but they are going to be safer and happier! Also I bought some Purina flock raiser for them to eat. We got healthy stuff now!

 

[ellenmartin]

So super proud of you!!!!!!!!!

Just takes a little push and you'll get things done and setup and you'll feel ssoooooo much better about it all and doing the right things learning more online here and being proactive to take care of them.

Fencing is easy, doens't have to be fancy either - I just grab t-post and step over in and out of mine - no door needed. Be careful if you do it like that - it's a 4' chicken wire temp pen that I keep close eye on out the window all day they were in when the goslings were peepers.

Flockraiser - just keep an eye out for Anglewing - if one gets it don't freak I can tell ya how to fix it in 1-2 days or so - worked great on ours and catching it early is key.

Many people feed Flockraiser mixed with a little scratch or cracked corn (sprinkled) to cut the protein but babies need it more right now at 18-20%.

Fresh water, deep bucket, keep water cleaned twice a day if possible fresh and dump. Head must be able to go completely under water or you get icky eye problems (see other posts online...)

YEAH!! You've got it going......

 

[Chikn-Chik]

Yayy!!!! Lol
We bought 5ft fencing to do it with. Bought 200 ft, going to use 150 of it. We are going to make a door big enough for them only that goes from the stall to outside in the pen. It well make things super easy, I go through the gate, that leads you outside from the hall, and open their door and they will come out into the pen! Of coarse it will take time to train them, and when we first let them out I'm going to clip a few flight feathers to keep them from taking liftoff lol. Then before dusk, usher them into the stall, using their door, and locking them up for the night. And giving them their feed as a reward!

I have a tub that is like a kiddie pool but its rectangle that I'm going to use, they can hop inside it and take a dip anytime they want! there is a ditch that we are fencing in that is the run off water from our pond when it gets to full, so they will have that to play around in too.

The flockraiser was the only thing they had, besides chick starter... so I figured that would be better so I can feed it to the adults too. I was thinking of making up a treat thing for them using, carrots, cabbage, apples, cucumbers and blueberries. All finely chopped of course. Are these foods safe to give as a treat, every now and then? I wanted to know before I fixed it up.

Thanks everyone! I'm becoming more of a responsible goose owner!
And I will post pics of the pen when we get it fixed. A couple of days at least.

 

[ellenmartin]

I don't know about clipping the feathers -- that's how they get away from predators actually - if you clip their wings they are truly defenseless if you're not watching 24/7.

Mostly geese won't run or fly away.... especially with goslings - they can't fly so the parents stay with them. By the time they're old enough your geese won't want to be without you cause you're so good to them!

I would not clip the wings... Geese aren't like chickens, they are slower and more on the ground type fowl. Chickens tend to fly almost straight up and over to get out of somewhere - harder for the geese....

Again, the family won't liftoff without the goslings..... Goslings are long way from flight.

 

[Chikn-Chik]

I now have a goose pen!!!

Another view

And here they are in their new pen!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
It looks great, ya'll did a great job!!