What do I need to know about raising Geese?

[PineBurrowPeeps]

I just got 5 Embden goslings yesterday to raise for Christmas Goose and I am wondering, do they need the same temps in the brooder as ducklings/chicks? At what age can they go outside?
Anything I should be doing with them to keep them tame and friendly, or not doing?

Gosh they are real cute babies. Very cuddly.

 

[ScoobyRoo]

I'm hem-hawing about getting some but for pets only. I'm curious to what answers you receive. Good luck with them.

 

[jvls1942]

handle them a lot and make them look to you for everything.food, shelter, protection..

I do not start anything out at 90F.
brooder temps.. go by their body language.. I usually start chicks at about 80F.. geese and turkeys too, but only for a day.. turkeys especially cannot take the high temps and they can die if it is too high..

 

[FourSnyders]

Basically about 90 degrees. The goslings will tell you when they are cold or hot. If they huddle under the light bump the temperature up and if they spread out away from the light you can lower the temperature. They can start going outside at about two weeks of age, but make sure they can get back into their brooder when they get cold. They can live fully outside when they are fully feathered. Make sure they are locked up at night though as predators will get them. Hope this helps some.

The Snyders

 

[goosedragon]

I hate to disagree but I do with just about everything posted here except adjusting the temperature by watching their behavior that was excellent. Having hand raised and goose raised goslings I have learned that Mama knows best. She will take her goslings out on the grass where they will start to eat greens on the second dayy after hatch if the weather is fair and not too cold. You want to make small amounts of chick grit available to them before you let them out on the grass since they need it to help digest even tender greens. Greens are the natural food for geese but it takes a lot of greens to provide the food value they need to grow, so feed starter too.
If you do what jvis1942 suggests "handle them a lot and make them look to you for everything.food, shelter, protection.." they are going to think you are their Mama which is fine until they are just about full grown when they start to rebel against their parents. They will think you are just another goose and will want to fight you for their rightfull place in the pecking order. Either establish dominance over them BEFORE that or you will face 5 BIG white birds that will want to fight you every time they see you! You have been warned. I do not want to see your posts this fall about your geese attacking you for no reason. If you are going to be their goose mother make them mind and fear you from a young age. Otherwise it will be a long time from October until you make them Christmas geese. PS this is even more important if you want to keep them as pets.~gd

 

[ScoobyRoo]

goosedragon,
I have been researching too and I was told to respect them(not a problem), do not tease them (which we don't do anyway) and DO NOT feed them from your hand. I'm guessing it is because like you said when they get older they can be rebellious. I'm also gathering that they go through a 'breeding season'?? Unlike a rooster that is mating all year long? So they will be aggresive for that time only?