Keeping Geese: 3 Reasons to Keep These Stunning Birds
Considering keeping geese on the homestead? Geese are among the oldest domesticated birds with written and archaeological evidence dating as far as ancient Egypt and Greece. These noble birds became part of legends and folklore in many cultures.
We all know the legend of how geese saved Rome or a folklore story about the goose who lays golden eggs. There are many valid reasons why geese maintained their popularity for millenniums.
Origin and Goose Breeds
Most domestic geese originated from their wild ancestors, which still thrive in the wilderness across the northern hemisphere. Western breeds like Embden, Pomeranian, Toulouse, and others descended from the Greylag goose. Eastern varieties like Chinese goose descended from the Swan goose. Other than a few minor aesthetic and behavioral differences, all geese from both sides are generally the same regarding requirements and benefits.
Breeding and Hatching Geese
One flock of geese for a small homestead should include 3-4 geese (female) and one gander (male). More geese would minimize fertile eggs, and more ganders would cause fights and aggression between them.
Of course, if the homestead has a lot of land and free-range, there can be several flocks on the property as long as the goose-gander ratio is within those limits.
Mother goose will make her own nest and lay enough eggs to cover them for incubation. The ideal number is between 6 and 10. Goose eggs are large and with a thick shell. An incubator is not efficient in hatching these eggs, so it’s the best to leave it to a broody mother goose.
Incubation of eggs is 28 days with most breeds, although some heavier varieties may take up to 35 days before the first gosling peak.
Goslings are fast-growing under the supervision of their highly protective mother goose and often even more protective father gander. However, during the first couple of days, the mother and goslings should be kept near the coop and under protection during the night.
Food for Domestic Geese
There is no other domestic bird that eats so much greens and grass as geese do. They are very low-maintenance birds. Occasional wheat or corn seed can be offered, but as long as there are grass fields to roam around, your birds will be happy, taking care of themselves. Provide greens as much and as often as you can.
Watering Geese on the Homestead
Even though geese are waterfowl, big ponds of water are not necessary. Geese love to spend time on land much more than in the water. A small kids-size pool or a wide container filled with water will be more than enough.
Benefits of Keeping Geese on the Homestead
Goose will provide on multiple fronts. More than chicken, turkey, and duck combined.
Some domestic breeds can weigh up to 22lbs, from which we don’t get only meat, but also fat that is beneficial and healthy. Not to forget the famous geese liver, which is a delicacy in many forms but particularly as a pate.
Goose can lay up to 50 eggs, with each weighing 4.2–6.0 oz. These eggs are edible and high in nutrition.
Another benefit of keeping geese in your homestead is weed control. Goose is a living lawnmower. If it’s green and reachable, it is food. The neglected area of your homestead will be clean-cut in a short period, and geese will be fed for days at no cost.
Things to keep in mind when keeping geese
Noise – They are called guard birds because they will make a loud noise to every suspicious movement around them or to show their happiness and gratitude.
Aggressive – also known as feathered dogs, geese will not hesitate to attack intruders on their territory including, humans, predators, cats, dogs, and other poultry. Goose is the master of the homestead, and everybody needs to accept that.
Garden terminator – if you enjoy a flower or vegetable garden, make absolutely sure that geese can’t reach it. Otherwise, it will be cut clean together with the weeds.
With all of this said, geese deserve the royal treatment as they have had over the millennia of their cohabitation with people. They can be perfect pets and faithful members of the family. If you have space at your homestead, a flock of geese should be a must-have on your list.
Written by Dragan Vracaric
Dragan has been keeping and breeding poultry for 20 years, including chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys and pigeons. He is passionate about animals and about writing!
Want to start your own goose flock? Our favorite poultry breeder, McMurray Hatchery, offers ten different kinds of geese! You can shop for goslings here!
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