What do I feed my geese?

[ellenmartin]

OMG!!!!!!!!

What a gret job!!

That is so awesome and the photos are great --- everyone will have a good example to see what to do for their geese --- it isn't hard, and it's worth it!

The drain thing in the photos - be careful there isn't a raccoon or possum or something hiding in it - I would put some wire around it and secure it so water can get through but critters can't.....

Make sure they can't get under barn or any gaps under the barn are covered with wire.... and that their opening to get into the barn is open all day so they can run in or get in for shelter.....

Also, if you have a baby pool or huge tub they can step into (12" or so) or can get one for them to have water to bathe in that would be good. Make sure whatever water you have in there for water that they can completely get their head and eyes in it that it is deep enough (will keep you from having eye problems and etc.) Geese clean their eyes and blow their nose out in the water - need to dunk head constantly.

LOVE your barn - the place you have is simply GORGEOUS compared to the TEXAS landscape here....

They'll get usd to it... it will take a while and then eventually you can let them go in and out of that pen to get used to the whole place to run around during the day when the goslings are fully feathered and grown about another 1.5-2 months.

How cool - you're going to have so much fun with that and they are going to LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU!!!

 

[Chikn-Chik]

Here is the finished ramp that leads them outside!

And here is the door on the outside.

 

[grannyh]

I guess I've made a mistake...ordering a pair of chinese goslings...:-(. We don't have much in the way of green grass here. I'll try to get some growing for them...Until it is growing good, what do you recommend supplementing with?

 

[jynxster]

growing grass is pretty easy. I have been an avid gardener my whole life the key is in the water the first two to three weeks.
(1) rake the area you want the grass seed to be grown so as to kinda scratch the ground a bit.
(2) cover the entire area like a grass seed blanket is you want thick full grass coverage.
(3) cover grass seed with about a one inch thick covering of "topsoil" or "topper" sold at all garden centers
(4) water evenly so as to let the water soak into the ground and down to the seeds but DO NOT MAKE IT PUDDLE AND ALLOW SEEDS TO FLOAT TO THE TOP.
(5) water everyday reliegously morning and night. If your seeds are allowed to dry out one time during this first twoo weeks or so, they will crack and dry and not produce grass.
(6) If you do this I guarentee you will start to see little grass hairs withing two weeks. THE WATERING IS VERY VERY IMPORTANT

(7) I always buy "drought tolerant" seeds as these seem to do best and when the yard is established (in about 6 months) will require only water when really dried out.Actually when it rains I dont water at all. one day during my first two weeks of seed it rtained really really hard and a lot of the seed rose to the top, i immedialy went out and put more topsoil over the seeds. i have a beautiful green grassy area for my geese and the keep it mowed to about 1 inch tall so funny. also the like to dig holes randomly for grit. I seeded a completly dirt back yard area about 1 1/2 mo ago and am now have plenty of grass for them. and of course NEVER use any chemicals on your lawn. when teh ducks and geese poop and you spray it down to now stink the poop is the best grass fertalizer ever. Good luck.

 

[AuroraSprings]

Anyone raise their baby geese on entirely grass? Our Cotton Patch goslings are out on pasture with parents and that's pretty much all they eat.

 

[The goose girl]

Anyone raise their baby geese on entirely grass? Our Cotton Patch goslings are out on pasture with parents and that's pretty much all they eat.

A guy on Danish television did that. He lost some of them because they didn't get enough nutrition from the grass. Apparently domesticated geese are bred to grow faster and therefore they need more food when they are growing. Well, it probably depends on both the goose breed and the value of the grass.

 

[AuroraSprings]

Makes sense. These geese are much smaller than other domestic breeds, plus they grow very slowly. Hopefully that will help. I felt guilty though and set out some grower crumbles for them to eat at night.

 

[grannyh]

Thank you jynxster for the grass growing tips!! I've tried to get a little bit started...with no luck. I'm going to follow your tips exactly and see how I do! Just a small space..I don't know where you are, but here in Southern NM it is difficult to keep anything damp...but I'll try! If that doesn't work, I'm going to see if I can purchase ONE roll of sod....if I can find some that isn't a water hog! LOL! I don't have any idea how much two geese need...or would like!

 

[speaktrue2]

GrannyH,

It's been some time since your post but if you need greens for your birds, try growing fodder. It's pretty easy to do in the house in containers. I use the plastic dishpans for the sink and add drain holes but any tupperware will do. just soak seed for 12 hours, drain and put in containers and water 3 times a day. wheat, barley, field peas, lentils or whatever whole seed you have and in one week you can have enough to feed many. do a search online for "growing fodder". It is so easy and provides so much green nutritious feed for animals from chickens all the way to goats and cows. there are many good videos on youtube for growing fodder. some systems are very elaborate but it can be done in almost any container. just don't let seed dry out. you want "feed" grains not "seed" grains. Seed grain has been sprayed.

 

[Miss Lydia]

GrannyH,

It's been some time since your post but if you need greens for your birds, try growing fodder. It's pretty easy to do in the house in containers. I use the plastic dishpans for the sink and add drain holes but any tupperware will do. just soak seed for 12 hours, drain and put in containers and water 3 times a day. wheat, barley, field peas, lentils or whatever whole seed you have and in one week you can have enough to feed many. do a search online for "growing fodder". It is so easy and provides so much green nutritious feed for animals from chickens all the way to goats and cows. there are many good videos on youtube for growing fodder. some systems are very elaborate but it can be done in almost any container. just don't let seed dry out. you want "feed" grains not "seed" grains. Seed grain has been sprayed.

I'm going to look into doing this especially thru the winter months.