Geese are not just interesting and intelligent birds; they can also be incredibly beneficial to a homestead. If you’ve ever dreamed of a cozy backyard with a lively animal corner, or if you’re looking for natural helpers in your garden, geese are a fantastic choice. Here’s why raising domestic geese might be just the thing you should consider.
Why Geese Stand Out Among Other Poultry:
- Friendly, Curious, and Fun: Geese are highly social, inquisitive, and clever creatures. They quickly become accustomed to people and can develop into true family favorites. If you enjoy observing animals, geese, with their amusing antics, are sure to bring plenty of smiles.
- Guardians for Other Birds: Even a single gander (male goose) raised among chickens will often see them as his flock and will diligently protect them. A larger group of geese, with their imposing size and loud honking, can deter smaller predators like foxes, ferrets, or martens.
- Natural Lawn Mowers: Geese absolutely love to graze! They are excellent at eating grass, weeds, and can even help maintain your garden without the need for chemicals. Their long necks allow them to carefully nibble grass around fruit trees, grapevines, or berry bushes without harming the plants themselves.
- Hardy and Low-Maintenance: Compared to chickens, geese are less prone to diseases, don’t require constant attention, and are generally more robust. This means caring for them involves minimal fuss, especially if their environment is set up correctly.
- Nutritious and Large Eggs: Goose eggs are significantly larger than chicken eggs and are packed with nutrients. They can be an interesting addition to your diet. And if you don’t eat them, they can be used to make pet food, homemade mayonnaise, or even beautifully decorated pysanky (Ukrainian Easter eggs).
- Soil Enrichment: As geese graze, they naturally enrich the soil with their droppings, acting as a fantastic natural fertilizer. This improves the soil quality in your garden or vegetable patch without any extra cost.
Getting Ready for Goslings:
Little goslings are a true delight on any farm! If raising domestic geese is new to you, it’s best to purchase already hatched goslings from a reputable breeder, neighbor, or acquaintance.
Setting Up a Home for Goslings:
Just like chicks, goslings need a special warm enclosure, but keep in mind they grow very quickly, so leave room for expansion.
- Temperature: For the first week, aim for 90°F (32°C). Then, reduce the temperature by 5-9°F (3-5°C) each week. If you’re using a heat plate, raise it as the goslings grow.
- Water: Goslings need to be able to submerge their entire beak in water – this is crucial for keeping their nostrils clean. However, avoid deep pools or bowls of water, as this can lead to chilling.
- Moving Outdoors: Usually around 5-6 weeks, goslings no longer need supplemental heat and can venture outside if the weather is warm enough.
What to Feed Geese:
The primary food for geese is grass. They are natural grazers and can significantly reduce your feed costs.
- Daily Grass: Geese prefer young grass up to 3 inches (8 cm) tall – they especially love clover.
- Supplemental Feed: If grazing is limited, supplement with wheat, waterfowl or chicken feed, greens (cabbage, lettuce), and occasionally cooked vegetables.
- Gosling Diet: In their early weeks, they need a starter feed formulated for waterfowl or chicks, along with daily access to fresh greens. After six weeks, they can transition to an adult diet.
- Niacin (Vitamin B3): This is critically important for leg development. Supplement their feed with brewer’s yeast at a ratio of 1:8 (3 kg of yeast per 25 kg of feed) or use a feed that already contains niacin.
- Grit and Oyster Shells: Geese swallow small pebbles (grit) to help them digest their food. Oyster shells provide calcium for strong eggshells.
Housing for Geese:
While geese are hardy, they need a dry and sheltered place to sleep at night.
- Shelter: A dry, draft-free, and well-ventilated space is essential. Provide straw bedding on the floor. Allow about 5-8 square feet (0.5-0.75 m²) per bird.
- Roosting and Nesting: Unlike chickens, geese don’t roost on perches and don’t need elaborate nesting boxes. They will typically make their nests in corners or under shelter.
- Fencing: Geese don’t fly well, so a regular fence is usually sufficient. However, make sure the bottom 1 foot (30 cm) is secured with small mesh wire, or better yet, bury the wire about 6 inches (15 cm) deep to prevent predators from digging underneath.
Do Geese Need a Pond? Unlike ducks, geese can do without a pond. However, they do need access to deep water for drinking and cleaning their beaks – a children’s wading pool works perfectly. A pond is just an added convenience, especially during breeding season.
The Temperament of Geese:
Geese have distinct personalities. They can be vocal, but they can also be very loyal. If goslings are raised around you, they will remember you and follow you around like little shadows. The key is to give them some attention and respect.
While geese have a reputation for being aggressive, this is often an exaggeration. They simply have a strong territorial instinct. If a gander rushes at you with wings spread and neck extended, it’s usually an attempt to intimidate. Don’t run – instead, confidently move forward with outstretched arms.
If a goose starts biting children or becomes overly aggressive, it needs to be “put in its place” – for example, by gently pressing it to the ground or carrying it under your arm, mimicking the behavior of a dominant male.
Goose Eggs: When and How Many?
- Laying Season: Typically from spring to early summer.
- Quantity: Around 12-15 eggs per season. A goose will usually wait until she has laid all her eggs before starting to incubate them, so all the goslings hatch at roughly the same time.
- Size: One goose egg weighs about 5 ounces (140-150 g) – that’s equivalent to about three chicken eggs!
Common Goose Diseases:
- Parasites: Mites, lice, and worms. Diatomaceous earth, special poultry dust, and regular cleaning can help.
- Bumblefoot (Pododermatitis): Swelling of the foot due to dirty flooring. Requires thorough treatment.
- Aspergillosis: A fungal infection from moldy feed. Prevention: cleanliness, dryness, ventilation.
- Angel Wing: A wing deformity caused by excess protein in young birds. A diet with more greens can help.
- Niacin Deficiency: Causes leg weakness in goslings. Treated with supplements or brewer’s yeast.
- Egg Binding: A dangerous condition where a hen can’t lay an egg. Warm baths, oiling, and veterinary care may be needed.
Geese are intelligent, hardy, and relatively low-maintenance birds that can become not only beautiful additions to your yard but also genuine helpers. Raising domestic geese is suitable for both experienced farmers and beginners looking to try something new. Give them care and a little space, and they will reward you with companionship, eggs, naturally mowed grass, and plenty of character.