Advice for novice!

[Nala]

So glad I've found this forum! Although I've had geese for a while I've been 'winging it' (pardon the pun!) so far! Would welcome advice on
1. bedding - used straw first but was told that encouraged red mite so have changed to shavings but geese don't seem to like it as much. Someone told me to use Easy Bed! Any thoughts?
2. food - at present my 5 geese have about 1/4 acre with cow pond but grass so short now I'm sure they're not getting much so I give layers pellets twice daily with cabbage/lettuce etc when I have it. Is this enough?
3. sexing - no idea what I have! Geese that is!
4. laying - they were born spring '11. Will they start laying this Spring (providing I have females!) Should they have a separate place/box to lay in?

 

[dorsetduckowner]

Hiya Welcome to the forum!

I am no goose expert, but we have always had a flock of at least 20 who free range for as long as I can remember.

We have no contact with them apart from feeding them corn. Ours, like your free range on grass and a lake, but like I say we subsidize their food intake with corn. I have wondered if pellets are better for them. I think Tim on here has some good knowledge.

As for laying, ours start to lay on valentines day, and lay until they have a full clutch, then sit. We take the eggs away, but they still sit.... this can go on for a few months.

As for sexing them, I also have no idea how to sex a mature Roman Goose!!! Apart from tagging the ones that go broody and their mates... any input would be great!

Ours lay on the island on the lake, so they are safe, they are very determined sitters, so I would make sure wherever they decide to lay, that they will be safe.

Zo
x

 

[Nala]

Thanks for advise. If your geese can stay on island do you leave them out? I've been shutting mine up at night but now there's water in the pond they are b*ggers to put away at night! I did lose one on Monday - it was quitely sitting on it's own on pond and wouldn't go to bed with others so had to leave it out. Was dead in the morning! Think maybe a fox got to it and mortally wounded it and it just took a while to die - poor thing!

I like the island idea. I have a willow tree in the middle of my cow pond that moorhens nest in. I could possibly make it bigger?! Do you have a house on the island? (for geese, not you!)

 

[dorsetduckowner]

Hiya, yes they have always lived semi wild. I am not sure how you make islands bigger, but I know you can. It is an expensive job but worth it!