While chickens may be the most popular poultry choice for homesteads, geese are an often overlooked option that can bring many benefits to a backyard farm. Geese are renowned for their exceptional foraging abilities and friendly demeanor, despite their reputation for being a bit cantankerous. They’re productive birds that can add value to your farm through their eggs and down feathers.
However, like any livestock, geese have specific needs and characteristics that require careful consideration before bringing them onto your property. With some basic knowledge and preparation, raising geese can be a rewarding experience, but it’s essential to understand the unique challenges they present. Here’s what you need to know to get started with raising geese.
Excellent Reasons for Raising Geese
Delicious Eggs and Meat
Goose eggs are truly mouthwatering, boasting large, rich, and dense yolks that elevate any dish. The runny whites add an extra layer of creaminess to treats like custards and waffles. But it’s the meat that’s the real star of the show. With a flavor profile akin to beef, but without the complexity of sourcing high-quality beef on a small scale, goose meat offers unparalleled tenderness and succulence.
Geese Are Good Watchdogs
While it may come as a surprise, geese can make excellent watchdogs due to their strong territorial personalities. In fact, they’re often the perfect species for safeguarding other poultry, such as chickens, from potential threats. However, this protective nature also means that geese can be quite ornery and unpleasant to deal with, especially when it comes to defending their territory. This unique characteristic sets them apart from more docile poultry breeds like ducks or chickens.
While geese are certainly capable of keeping an eye out for potential dangers, they’re not a match for larger predators like foxes, dogs, or coyotes. As such, you’ll still need to invest in secure fencing and housing to keep your geese safe.
They Do Not Need A Roost…
Unlike other poultry species, geese don’t require roosting at night and instead prefer to rest low to the ground. They are self-sufficient animals that thrive in well-ventilated housing with enough space to move around comfortably. A single goose needs approximately three square feet of floor space indoors, but they’ll require more room in the run area due to their instinct to roam freely. For bedding, a simple and clean option like dry straw works well.
To prevent predators like raccoons from entering the enclosure, install a secure latch on the exterior of the building. Geese are remarkably hardy and can tolerate cold weather, preferring to stay outside during daylight hours even in inclement weather. Their poor night vision and limited ability to defend themselves at night make it crucial to provide adequate housing that keeps predators at bay.
The primary goal of goose housing is to ensure their safety and security by preventing nocturnal attacks.
There Are Many Breeds to Consider
When it comes to selecting the perfect breed of geese for your backyard, it’s essential to consider your goals, setup, and the unique characteristics of each breed. While there are many breeds to choose from, some of the most popular include light breeds like Brown and White Chinese and Roman Tufted, medium breeds such as Pilgrim, Sebastopol, and American Buff, and heavy breeds like African, Toulouse, and Embden.
It’s crucial to do your research and find a breed that is well-suited for your homestead, as geese are intelligent, loyal animals that can bond quickly with you and each other. With some breeds capable of living up to 20 years, investing in the right breed is an important decision that requires careful consideration.
Feeding Geese is Simple
When it comes to feeding geese, simplicity is key. Unlike other poultry, such as chickens and ducks, which require a diet rich in protein from sources like insects, geese are designed to thrive on a grass-based diet. Their digestive system is optimized to convert grass into energy, making it unnecessary to supplement with vegetables or grain. As long as they have access to a generous supply of fresh pasture, your geese will get all the nutrients they need.
In terms of pasture quality, aim for a height of around three inches – not too tall, but not too short either. Your geese will happily graze away, taking in everything they need from the grass. If you’re concerned about limited pasture or harsh winter conditions that might make it difficult for your geese to access the grass, there are alternatives. You can supplement their diet with poultry layer pellets, wheat, fresh greens, or cooked vegetables.
However, be mindful of certain types of feed – specifically mash or layer crumbles – as they can cause difficulties for your geese when swallowing. On the other hand, you can safely offer wheat or grain in a bucket submerged in water, making it inaccessible to unwanted visitors like rats and mice. Just remember to keep medicated poultry food out of reach of your geese, as it’s formulated specifically for certain breeds and can be toxic to others.
You Can Raise Geese With Other Poultry
When integrating geese with other birds like chickens and waterfowl, it’s crucial to consider the unique dynamics within your flock. Every situation is distinct, so it’s essential to tailor your approach accordingly.
For a harmonious coexistence, start by raising all birds together from birth. Introducing goslings to chicks early on can help them grow accustomed to each other, minimizing potential issues. Goslings will likely stick to their own group, while chicks will do the same.
However, geese are significantly larger than most poultry, particularly chickens. As such, be vigilant for signs of aggression, especially if you’re keeping roosters or ganders, as these birds can pose a greater threat due to their size and natural territorial instincts.
A Pond is Not Mandatory, But Some Water is Required
Geese, as with other livestock, require drinking water for sustenance. Additionally, they also need access to some water for mating purposes. It’s common misconception that geese, like ducks, necessitate copious amounts of water for daily functions. However, this is not the case. While geese consume and drink more water than chickens, their water needs do not compare to those of ducks.
Nonetheless, if you’re planning to breed your own goslings, having a breeding pair with access to water will facilitate the mating process. Keep in mind that they won’t spend as much time on the water as ducks would. Geese are naturally aquatic birds, and they appreciate having some water for bathing purposes. A small kiddie pool or equivalent is sufficient, just ensure it’s secure and cannot be easily tipped over.
Hatching Goose Eggs is Easy
Hatching goose eggs requires only a slight departure from the process of hatching chicken eggs. The key consideration is that goose eggs demand higher humidity levels to successfully emerge. This difference stems from the fact that geese, unlike chickens, require their feathers to be kept moist during incubation. As such, if you choose to hatch goose eggs, it’s crucial to follow precise parameters and refrain from hatching them alongside chicken eggs.
Is Raising Geese Right For You?
While chickens are more widely available, geese can still be sourced through hatcheries that sell baby goslings, as well as poultry shows or local breeders. In fact, many popular hatcheries also offer hatching eggs for those looking to try their hand at incubation and hatching their own flock. With some basic knowledge of goose biology and behavior, you’ll find that raising a gaggle is surprisingly straightforward and rewarding.
