Yo! Big Dog! What kind of geese? any special tips on housing,. breeding, raising? We just ordered 10 Tolouse...the ones that look like geese. We are going to train them to go into their "house" at night, and gentle them down so they are calm with the family. Then we are building a perimiter inside fence, and will put them in the "no man's land." Any ideas?

Thanks

Mary P.

-- Mary P. (CAgdma@home.com), March 13, 1999

Answers

Most of the geese work is done by my nine-year old son, so I'll ask him to add a post directly (who knows, maybe it will be the youngest post ever to Yourdon, no)?

We have 7 of varied parentage and variety. They get along great with each other, except for two females that fight over who gets to sit on the eggs (Hissy DeMutt, a Toulouse and Tootsie, of uncertain parentage). We can always tell because one of them wanders around dazed with blood on her head after one of their scraps. Their fights are kind of ridiculous, since even the two of them can't cover this huge mound of eggs.

We put chicken wire around our horse corral, which currently, not unlike a penitentiary, is where they and the 20 chickens take their exercise ... when they're not wandering loose around the property, eating little critters, attacking my wife's bulbs and depositing excrement everywhere.

Otherwise, ours generally put themselves to bed and we shut the barn door, though we sometimes let them wander around thru the night, usually because we're too lazy to shut the door.

Our geese are reasonably timid and don't chase or attack anyone (we have a three-year old too; the only time we had trouble was when am male goat got aggressive with him and was quickly turned into meat. The goat, not the three-year old) though they honk wonderfully. They're rather dumb: we have a wonderful four-season creek but we literally have to lead them to water, otherwise they're more likely to sit in the middle of the road on the other side of the property honking at the occasional car on our rural road as they honk at the silly geese.

The geese and the chickens have never fought with each other, though they don't exactly hang out and chew the proverbial fat.

The turkeys we kept in a cage, fed them, slaughtered them and had a nice Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Let me know if you have any other questions. I will have Zach post tomorrow.

Others more knowledgeable than us (Mitchell Barnes?) can also answer your questions, I'm sure.

-- BigDog (BigDog@duffer.com), March 13, 1999.

Zach will only be chronologically younger... ;-)

-- PNG (png@gol.com), March 13, 1999.

[Zach's comments in brackets, without any editing or redaction]

Most of the geese work is done by my nine-year old son, so I'll ask him to add a post directly (who knows, maybe it will be the youngest post ever to Yourdon, no)?

We have 7 of varied parentage and variety. They get along great with each other, except for two females that fight over who gets to sit on the eggs (Hissy DeMutt, a Toulouse and Tootsie, of uncertain parentage). We can always tell because one of them wanders around dazed with blood on her head after one of their scraps. Their fights are kind of ridiculous, since even the two of them can't cover this huge mound of eggs.

[It's true that sometimes they will fight but they have devolped a better friendship over the month, they are very gentle acctept that when you go near them when they are on the nest they will hiss at you to protect there eggs.Yes I have some tips for housing, and they will probably help it is almost impossible to train geese, but they are just as content sleeping outside, but there is a way to get them into there house and it is herding them in,the way to calm them down is to be gentle and walk slowly towards them and they will become friendly over maybe three months.]

We put chicken wire around our horse corral, which currently, not unlike a penitentiary, is where they and the 20 chickens take their exercise ... when they're not wandering loose around the property, eating little critters, attacking my wife's bulbs and depositing excrement everywhere.

[they do that, but only if you don't have a good fence if there are any holes geese will find them feed them well because if for maybe a day or two you don't feed them they might get sick and there's not that much you can do about it.]

Otherwise, ours generally put themselves to bed and we shut the barn door, though we sometimes let them wander around thru the night, usually because we're too lazy to shut the door.

[wrong we just don't shut the door]

Our geese are reasonably timid and don't chase or attack anyone (we have a three-year old too; the only time we had trouble was when a male goat got aggressive with him and was quickly turned into meat. The goat, not the three-year old) though they honk wonderfully. They're rather dumb: we have a wonderful four-season creek but we literally have to lead them to water, otherwise they're more likely to sit in the middle of the road on the other side of the property honking at the occasional car on our rural road as they honk at the silly geese.

[true they sometimes will do that if you let them out]

The geese and the chickens have never fought with each other, though they don't exactly hang out and chew the proverbial fat.

[sometimes the older rooster fights with them or get chased by them]

The turkeys we kept in a cage, fed them, slaughtered them and had a nice Thanksgiving and Christmas.

[no dissagreement about those turkeys they where good but tiny]

-- BigDog (BigDog@duffer.com), March 14, 1999.

It's bad enough that Flint never agrees with me, now it's my nine-year old! :-)

-- BigDog (BigDog@duffer.com), March 14, 1999.

Hi,Mary, Thought I add to Big Dog's post as he suggested.We kept geese (Toulouse) & I seem to remember you need to clip their wings to stop them flying away too far.Ours could be quite aggressive so we always had a yard broom handy.Ganders were particularly bad when the females were sitting on the eggs.You need a shallow pond for the males to do their courtship display.The water needs to be a mid chest height... of a goose that is !The ganders stand & beat their wings in the water sending up a terrific spray.If you have a dog(as we did)you mustn't let him disturb a nest with eggs in as the goose will go off lay.Our dog use to steal & eat the eggs.Goose eggs can give a dog terrible flatulence so be warned !We also found that geese really can deter unwelcome visitors.

Hope that helps,

Chris

-- Chris (griffen@globalnet.co.uk), March 14, 1999.

Zach..Thank you so much for the comments. I really appreciate your input on the geese, as some times the younger people notice more things than the older people. Glad to hear that your turkeys were delicious, even if small. I think a small turkey is just fine! Keep up the good work, study hard, and pay attention to what your parents tell you. You are living in interesting times.

Chris....egg sucking dogs and flatulance....as the owner of a very large dog who considers eggs a prime delicacy, who routinely spends the winter in a very small motor home.with the dog...I can hardly wait!

Fencing!

Thansks Mary P.

-- Mary P. (CAgdma@home.com), March 14, 1999.

Thanks, BigDog and son. I just ordered five pairs of Pilgrim geese. They are medium sized and are supposed to be very docile; just the ticket around small children, I hope. I'm really looking forward to having them; there seem to be a lot of up sides to geese -- meat, eggs, feathers/down, will raise their own young, grass trimming, etc. I'm scheduled to get mine on April 11 so I'll let you know how it comes out.

As for turkeys, I'm following Gene Logsdon's advice in his book Homestead. His one-word chapter on turkeys: "Don't"

Hey BigDog, did you say you're going to get goats soon? We've had a dickens of a time with ours (the most recent set-back, the doeling broke her leg somehow. I'm getting a lot of medic refresh training in advance of Y2K). But we sure are enjoying having our own milk supply; we haven't bought a drop from the store since Lady Bass kidded six weeks ago.

Perhaps those of us who are rural on this forum could keep a couple of threads going on animal care. I would really benefit from that.

-- Franklin Journier (ready4y2k@yahoo.com), March 15, 1999.

Franklin -- We are not goat experts either, though, as I mentioned, we have friends that are, but I don't get to talk to them too often. We had a male goat for a while strictly as a pet a couple of years ago and training for the younger children in caring for animals. He became aggressive and was offed.

We are waiting for imminent arrival of two female goats (apparently, they do well together)?) from another farmer nearby. One is a bit of a dwarf and will be more of a companion. The main lady is pregnant and we will receive her after the delivery. If I recall my feeble knowledge, she will give about a 1/2 to 1 gallon of milk daily for six months or so if we keep her reasonably happy.

We are also prepping for doing a few beef cattle later in the spring and throughout the summer (but no butchering, we'll have that done by friends).

As I've mentioned before, my mother-in-law has a dairy farm that is actually farmed by a local guy. Consequently, I don't pay too much attention to that from a skills point-of-view (plenty of folks are dairy-savvy in this neck of the woods), though we are considering bringing one cow over to "beef" up our skills a bit on the dairy side of things. Obviously, land management and feed are a BIG deal as is the willingness for x7 milking.

Our specialty so far has been poultry. My wife and Zach seem to have the equivalent of a green thumb (what is the equivalent, does anyone know)? Everyone else's seem to get sick, etc, while our family merrily broods them and collects eggs, even in the winter. We're going to experiment with meat chickens soon.

On the geese, we did have two of the original nine slaughtered and were surprised, in our case at least, by how meaty they were. Yummy. Fortunately, our kids are not sentimental about the farm stuff. And, my wife as a midwife, is abothe former is easier). That said, the 7 we have presently are basically extremely messy pets. At least until 1/1/2000.

Like you, my day work is, yes, still in the computer biz. As a farmer, I really am a laff riot (ask my wife and family). See, I'm the brains behind the operation. But, man, the overalls look GREAT on me.

Agree with you about husbandry threads. For instance, we are trying to think through next year's feed requirements and decide how much to purchase, how much to grow. Hey, let's keep this one and related ones going. Those of you with expertise out there, HELP!

-- BigDog (BigDog@duffer.com), March 15, 1999.

Hi, new here. I am a antique ( kids informned me anything or anyone over fifty is one) Raised on a farm, without electric until I was thirteen. Really no big deal. Anyway back to geese. We have always had geese, still do, wouldnt be without them. Best darn watch dogs around. Also have raised milk goats, pigs, chickens, rabbits,steers etc. If I can be of any help let me know.We have stocked back up on a few animals for y2k ourselves. Value your gander he will sacrafice himself for his flock, if danger comes knocking.

-- Joyce Tryon (joycetryon@sensible-net.com), May 03, 1999.

Anyone considering keeping goats should not miss David Mackenzie's Goat Husbandry. Now in a 334 page trade p/b edition from 1996. (Amazon.com has it.)

Anyone intending to use pastureland for stock should not miss Andre Voisin's Grass Productivity. (Also available at Amazon.com.)

Anyone interested in the destructive behavior of governmental agencies must read the story of Roger Wentling, who realized the usefulness of Voisin's discoveries in grass management, and put them into practice for USDA's Soil Conservation Service in Somerset Co., Pennsylvania.

-- Tom Carey (tomcarey@mindspring.com), May 04, 1999.

Thanks for the offers of help. Tom, these books sound very, very cool and we'll get them.

-- BigDog (BigDog@duffer.com), May 04, 1999.

Ok you goose experts. First some background, then some questions.

I got 16 Pilgrim goslings almost three weeks ago. One dead so I'm down to 15. They ate through their cardboard retaining wall at 1 1/2 weeks and were generally crapping all over each other so I moved 'em to a large pen in the barn which seems to suit them nicely.

Questions:

1) They are extremely timid and excitable. How do I tame them?

2) Will two low strands of electric fence keep them in?

3) How far will they range if they get out of the fence?

4) If I move their water daily to keep them on different patches can I realistically use them to mow my lawn?

5) How can I get them to go into a specific shelter at night?

6) How does one catch and/or herd geese if you want to move them someplace, such as the garden to do some weeding?

Thanks in advance.

-- David Palm (djpalm64@yahoo.com), May 04, 1999.

David

[my comments]

They ate through their cardboard retaining wall at 1 1/2 weeks and were generally crapping all over each other so I moved 'em to a large pen in the barn which seems to suit them nicely.

[Good. Actually, your geese behave EXACTLY like pollys on this forum and should be treated similarly.]

Questions:

1) They are extremely timid and excitable. How do I tame them?

[They generally get tamer over time as they're more familiar with the environment. Others will have more insight].

2) Will two low strands of electric fence keep them in?

[I would think it would keep them well-shocked (think pollys again). We use ordinary non-electrified chicken wire mesh which works well. Counting on that 'ol grid, aren't we?]

3) How far will they range if they get out of the fence?

[Ours go down to the creek (1/8 mile) and return after bathing. Others with experience?]

4) If I move their water daily to keep them on different patches can I realistically use them to mow my lawn?

[Ha-ha-ha]

5) How can I get them to go into a specific shelter at night?

[Dunno. Ours always go on their own into the barn.]

6) How does one catch and/or herd geese if you want to move them someplace, such as the garden to do some weeding?

[We take our kids and have them herd the geese by running at them and flapping their arms. Really. Works pretty good though it sometimes takes two passes to get them where we want them. Lots of honking going on.]

-- BigDog (BigDog@duffer.com), May 04, 1999.

I was serious about the lawn mowing, actually.

<< I would think it would keep them well-shocked (think pollys again). We use ordinary non-electrified chicken wire mesh which works well. Counting on that 'ol grid, aren't we? >>

Nope! I have a solar powered fencer. So there, BigDog. Think you're so smart ;-D.

so there BigDog!

-- David Palm (djpalm64@yahoo.com), May 04, 1999.

David, congrats on the geese. Hope you enjoy them. I tame my little babes with a treat. They love bread. Just sit yourself down on a bucket pick one up give it a little bread, drop a few little pieces. Spend some time with them, hold them etc. They will love to see you comming if you give them treats, just like any other animal. If you have a river even a half mile away, your geese are gone, and no they wont come back. The booger heads just keep floating down stream. We have a pond ( small one) and they like that. Before the pond a kids swimming pool. If you pen them up on your lawn their poop will burn your grass up, even if you move it every day. They poop alot. Herding geese is not to hard. Geese can see practically all away around their head. Get your self two long sticks about the size of a broom handle. Walk slowly behind them, with your arms outstretched. You arae making yourself as wide as possible. If you see one side start to stray away just wave your arm up and down. You lower your sticks and they will make a break. You run at them they either run or turn around to mock attack you. I have no luck with my geese going into a shelter at night by themselves.The booger heads will wait by the gate( THE FRONT GATE TO OUR YARD AND POOP THEIR LITTLE BOTTOMS OFF) if I happen to get home late, waiting for me. I do have a bit of a problem with the electric fence. When Iwas a kid, a hundred years ago, my Dad put up an electric fence. When something would spook the geese, they would run right into the electric fence. Their wings would get caught over the wire and they would just hang on it until taken off. Even though geese get big it doesnt take a strong fence to keep them in. Chicken wire the flimsy kind would do the job, as long as the fence was fastened to strong posts. One thing in your favor, geese get spooked at every thing. If you dont have a river near by, I dont think they would leave your property.I am of course guessing you live in the country and dont have real close neighbors. I have to take my baby geese away from the hens when they are born. We have fox, coyote and hawks. I make a pen and put the babies in it with a heat light or a sitting hen. Put the pen where the geese can see their babies. They keep watch, take turns sitting around the pen day and night.when the babies are big enough to go, they just blend in with the flock. I really hope you enjoy raising your geese.

Take care Joyce

-- JOYCEtryon (joycetryon@sensible-net.com), May 04, 1999.

David, congrats on the geese. Hope you enjoy them. I tame my little babes with a treat. They love bread. Just sit yourself down on a bucket pick one up give it a little bread, drop a few little pieces. Spend some time with them, hold them etc. They will love to see you comming if you give them treats, just like any other animal. If you have a river even a half mile away, your geese are gone, and no they wont come back. The booger heads just keep floating down stream. We have a pond ( small one) and they like that. Before the pond a kids swimming pool. If you pen them up on your lawn their poop will burn your grass up, even if you move it every day. They poop alot. Herding geese is not to hard. Geese can see practically all away around their head. Get your self two long sticks about the size of a broom handle. Walk slowly behind them, with your arms outstretched. You arae making yourself as wide as possible. If you see one side start to stray away just wave your arm up and down. You lower your sticks and they will make a break. You run at them they either run or turn around to mock attack you. I have no luck with my geese going into a shelter at night by themselves.The booger heads will wait by the gate( THE FRONT GATE TO OUR YARD AND POOP THEIR LITTLE BOTTOMS OFF) if I happen to get home late, waiting for me. I do have a bit of a problem with the electric fence. When Iwas a kid, a hundred years ago, my Dad put up an electric fence. When something would spook the geese, they would run right into the electric fence. Their wings would get caught over the wire and they would just hang on it until taken off. Even though geese get big it doesnt take a strong fence to keep them in. Chicken wire the flimsy kind would do the job, as long as the fence was fastened to strong posts. One thing in your favor, geese get spooked at every thing. If you dont have a river near by, I dont think they would leave your property.I am of course guessing you live in the country and dont have real close neighbors. I have to take my baby geese away from the hens when they are born. We have fox, coyote and hawks. I make a pen and put the babies in it with a heat light or a sitting hen. Put the pen where the geese can see their babies. They keep watch, take turns sitting around the pen day and night.when the babies are big enough to go, they just blend in with the flock. I really hope you enjoy raising your geese.

Take care God Bless Joyce

-- Joyce Tryon (joycetryon@sensible-net.com), May 04, 1999.

Just a little update on the geese.

Electric fence DOES NOT WORK for geese! I spent three hours setting up a nice paddock for them with three strands of electric wire; the first goose I put in ran out of it in two seconds. So I'm moving the electric fence to a pasture that I'm going to let the pigs obliterate.

On the topic of pigs, make sure the geese can't get in there with the porkers. One of my geese made her way in there yesterday and Pork Chop went berserk. The poor goose just made it out with her life.

The herding tip above works splendidly. I moved the flock of 15 birds this morning from a fenced paddock to the goat's exercise yard in about 30 seconds. No problems at all.

They are still pretty flighty and frankly I don't have time to tame them very much. They are six weeks old and already eschew any shelter and just stay outside all the time, even during a rain storm. They are very beautiful and stately moving across one's lawn; much nicer to look at than chickens. Wonderful animals.

Now, all you goose experts out there, here's another question. I need them to weed out a patch in which I planted a slew of Jerusalem artichoke. Will they nab the grass and leave the young JA plants alone?

-- David Palm (djpalm64@yahoo.com), May 24, 1999.