Raising geese on a homestead can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. These intelligent and sociable birds can provide various benefits, such as being excellent watchdogs, providing eggs and meat, and even helping with weed control. However, it is essential to understand the unique characteristics and needs of geese to raise them successfully and ensure they become friendly members of your homestead.

In this guide, we will discuss the various aspects of raising friendly geese, including housing, feeding, breeds, and common questions about geese.

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Understanding Geese Behavior

Territorial and Protective Nature

Geese are known for their territorial and protective nature, which can make them excellent watchdogs for your homestead. They are vigilant and will not hesitate to alert you of any potential threats, such as predators or intruders. However, this protective nature can also make them aggressive toward other animals and humans if they perceive them as a threat. To raise friendly geese, it is crucial to understand their behavior and establish a bond with them from a young age.

Social Animals and Flocking Instinct

Geese are social animals that prefer to live in groups or flocks. When raising geese, it is essential to keep them in groups of at least two or more to ensure their emotional well-being. The flocking instinct of geese can help them bond with each other and their human caretakers, making them more friendly and sociable.

Housing for Geese

Shelter Requirements

Geese do not require elaborate housing like chickens or other poultry. They are hardy birds that can withstand harsh weather conditions. However, providing a simple and secure shelter is essential for their safety and comfort. A well-ventilated, sturdy, low-to-the-ground structure lined with dry straw will keep your geese happy and protected. Each goose requires approximately three square feet of floor space in the shelter, and you should ensure that there is enough room for all the geese in your flock to rest comfortably.

We already had a rather large duck enclosure with a shelter when we got our geese. Since everyone got along well, they are housed together. The geese, ducks, and chicks all share outdoor space, but the chickens are housed separately from the ducks and geese.

Security Measures

It is essential to protect your geese from predators by ensuring the shelter is secure. Using snap hooks on latches and making sure the shelter is free from gaps or holes that predators can exploit is vital. Additionally, a secure fenced area for your geese to roam during the day will help keep them safe while allowing them to graze and forage.

While our geese are on a pasture during the day, they move to a secure shelter at night, when predators are most prevalent.

Feeding Geese

Natural Diet: Grazing on Grass

Geese primarily feed on grass, making them excellent foragers. Providing your geese with access to grassy areas will help them obtain all the nutrition they need. Ideally, the grass should be about three inches tall for the geese to graze efficiently. If you do not have enough pasture or grass, you can supplement their diet with wheat, poultry layer pellets, and fresh greens, such as lettuce and cabbage.

Feeding Tips and Precautions

When providing supplemental feed, make sure to avoid layer crumbles or mash, as these can disrupt the geese’s ability to swallow. Instead, use wheat or pellets and provide them in a bucket covered with water to prevent wild birds and rodents from accessing the feed. Additionally, be sure to remove any uneaten food at night to prevent attracting pests.

Breeds of Geese for Homesteaders

There are several breeds of geese available, each with its unique characteristics and qualities. Some popular breeds for homesteaders include:

• Light breeds: Brown and White Chinese, Roman Tufted
• Medium breeds: Pilgrim, American Buff, Sebastopol
• Heavy breeds: Toulouse, African, Embden

When choosing a breed, consider factors such as size, egg production, temperament, and appearance. Research each breed thoroughly to find the one that best suits your needs and preferences.

Integrating Geese with Other Poultry and Waterfowl

It is generally safe to keep geese with chickens or other large waterfowl, as they tend to stick to their own flock. However, it is essential to monitor their interactions, as geese can be considerably larger than chickens and may display aggression. Providing ample space for all your birds to roam and graze will increase the likelihood of different poultry species coexisting peacefully.

Read here for more info on how we integrated our ducks and geese together.

The Benefits of Raising Geese on a Homestead

Guard Animals

Geese, particularly in small flocks, can make excellent guard animals due to their size, loudness, and assertiveness. They can work in conjunction with other animals, such as guinea fowl and livestock guardian dogs, to keep your homestead safe from predators and intruders.

Eggs and Meat Production

Geese can provide a valuable source of eggs and meat for your homestead. Goose eggs are large and highly sought-after by gourmet chefs and crafters, while goose meat is considered a delicacy with a taste similar to beef. Raising geese for eggs and meat can also be a potential source of income for your homestead.

Weed Control and Foraging

As geese are primarily vegetarians, they can be useful for weed control on your homestead. They can help keep grass and weeds in check, reducing the need for mowing or manual weeding. However, it is essential to keep them away from your garden during the growing season, as they may also consume your garden plants.

Raising Friendly Geese

Common Questions about Raising Geese

Do Geese Need a Pond?

Geese do not require a pond, but they do need a water source to drink and clean themselves. A simple kiddie pool or large water container will suffice for their needs. If you plan to breed your geese, providing a water source will increase the chances of successful mating, as geese mate more easily in water.

Can Goslings be Raised with Chickens?

Goslings can be raised with chickens, but it is essential to be aware of the size difference and monitor their interactions closely. Introducing goslings to a brooder with older chicks can help them coexist peacefully, but always keep an eye on them to prevent any issues. Raising friendly geese when it comes to other animals on the farm just required some patience and monitoring.

How to Make Geese Friendly?

Hand-raising goslings is an effective way to make geese friendly. By bonding with them from a young age, you can establish trust and familiarity that will last throughout their lives. However, it is crucial to maintain this bond by continuing to interact with your geese regularly and treating them with kindness and respect.

Tips for Raising Friendly Geese

Establish Trust and Familiarity

To raise friendly geese, it is essential to establish trust and familiarity with them from a young age. Spend time with your geese, hand-feed them, and interact with them regularly to create a strong bond that will last as they grow.

Observe and Understand Their Behavior

Understanding geese’s natural behavior and tendencies can help you better interact with them and anticipate their needs. Observing your geese and learning their individual personalities will enable you to provide them with the best care and environment possible, ultimately resulting in friendly and sociable birds.

Be Patient and Consistent

Raising friendly geese requires patience and consistency. Be prepared to invest time and effort in building a strong relationship with your geese and consistently provide them with the care and attention they need.

Challenges and Drawbacks of Raising Geese

Aggressiveness

As previously mentioned, geese can be aggressive, particularly during mating season. It is essential to be aware of this behavior and take necessary precautions to protect yourself and others from potential harm. Teaching children to carry a “goose stick” and assert themselves when needed can help deter geese from becoming too aggressive.

Goose Poop

Geese produce large and messy droppings, which can be an issue if they have access to your entire homestead. Consider confining them to a pasture or designated area to minimize the mess and keep your homestead clean.

Conclusion

Raising friendly geese on your homestead can be a rewarding and fun experience, providing numerous benefits such as eggs, meat, and protection. However, it is essential to understand their unique needs and characteristics to ensure their happiness and well-being. By following the tips and advice outlined in this guide, you can successfully raise friendly geese that will become beloved members of your homestead for years to come.