Which geese to get and where?

[ashandvine]

Hello folks. I am a BYCer in the chicken arena and would like to have a couple geese here. I have children and chickens and hope to have Magpie ducks soon. I would like whatever geese I get to fit as many of these aspirations as possible:
quiet
non-aggressive
good weedwackers
eggs
guardians for the other birds
heritage or rare
pets

I am not interested in breeding but would like to support a breeder rather than a hatchery. I'd like a pair of girls-- pens?? Right? That way they have each other for company. I don't care too much what they are for a breed. I won't spend 75$ a bird though so that probably should be on the list somewhere too. They will have 9 acres to range on with fruit trees and a garden they can get bits from. Where in Maine and what breed?? Thank you!

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Being June now, goslings will be harder to find. Luckily that gives you lots of time to research what works for you and find a waiting list to get on for next year.

Most goslings ship in 3's or 4's so they stay warm enough on the trip. (if you are hoping for newly hatched)



Geese lay limited number of eggs and for just a few months of the year.

All geese are good weeders

Geese don't really guard other birds, but will sound an alert when they don't like something giving a heads up.

Heritage and rare will come at a price and it won't be cheap for good quality geese. Also most won't sell females only. They go straight run or as pairs most often.


Boy geese = ganders
Girl geese = goose

 

[Kevin565]

I think Pilgrims or Pomeranians would be a good choice for you.

 

[ashandvine]

As it would happen there are Buffs and Poms here as well as Toullousse (spelled wrong, sorry) and some Saddles, as well as African Roman and Chinese. I was thinking maybe Buffs or Pilgrim... but needed to come here to get better advice. Some are grown out but there are goslings available right now in most I listed. I have to hurry though. I was leaning on Sebastapols and Cotton Patch but the gal in TN who raises them doesn't have anymore. I was trying to find someone in Maine so I could pick goslings up not have them shipped though. I've lived on farms with geese before and know they are good weeders, but like chickens who will free range some are better at it. Ducks too can be known as aggressive foragers or so so. The big deal is can they live here in Maine and be good 'pets' around the kids and not kick the crap out of my chickens. Guarding was really only meant as they watch out and are very alert so they would give a warning and like I said, not try to kill the chickens or be so noisy that my neighbors cringe.

Also... I know that adults are goose and gander (as the saying goes) but aren't littles called Cobs and Pens as in cockerels and pullets, and a unisex answer is gosling...??

 

[Trefoil]

Try craigslist, or bestfarmbuys.com

I've gotten poultry from ads on both locally, or at least within driving distance. I have toulouse and they fit your specs. Not the dew lapped.

 

[ashandvine]

Thank you for the suggestions. I have read a lot about Tolouse being pretty hissy. I read that about Emdens though too and I had a lovely one who I could pick up and sit with and feed from my hand, so I know some of it is luck.

DH is asking me what the 'pay off' of having geese is.

I think they are graceful and beautiful and intelligent so I just like them, but then there is the deal that they warn the other critters about hawks and they weedwhack for me. (There is just so much grass on nine acres to whack!) I can just see them here under the apple trees worrying the grass. Its beautiful. Any suggestions as to how to convince DH, other good points I didn't list?

I have a lead on Poms and Tufted Buffs through CL. Like I said earlier, I want to support a breeder not a feed store/hatchery.

 

[Iain Utah]

I love my toulouse babies. They are easy keepers, quiet, docile, and get along well with strangers, kids, ducks, cats and even my sweet old dog.

 

[ashandvine]

How am I ever going to pick??? I still have to convince DH... or just bring them home and let them grow on him! I really do appreciate the feedback. Keep it coming!

What's a utility goose?

 

[TheJadeChicken]

I LOVE geese. My favorite of all the poultry species, beside the golden pheasant. My first 2 were a Grey Toulouse and Grey Chinese. I really recommend those, but I recommend the Chinese over the Toulouse a lot more friendlier in my opinion.

R.I.P my two goose ladies Tim And Jim!! T-T

 

[Iain Utah]

It is a distinction between the larger dewlap Toulouse, which are my absolute favorite, but rare and hard to find unless willing to pay top dollar and the more common backyard Toulouse, known as either a production or utility Toulouse.