What goose breed suits me?

[Everyman]

I'm just wondering what goose breed is best for me, I want to hand raise him from a gosling?

I used to have a duck (handraised rouen, he was extreamly tame, he was born 1999 and died 2007) and currently own 2 chickens and 2 pigeons (the chickens/pigeons aren't tame).

Here is what I got to offer a goose, do you think it's suitable?

1. I've got a spare coop with no resident animals, Its 2 meters long and 1.5 meter high by estimate.
2. The back yard is a quarter of an acre.
3. I've still got that small pond that the duck used to use to bath himself in (its the width of a truck tyre).
4. The grass grows quickly in the backyard.
5. I've already got poultry food (since i own chickens and pigeons).

Now the qualities I want in this goose are....
1. Not too aggressive (I know all geese can be aggressive but there are certain breeds I think are less aggressive than others).
2. A small/light type.
3. Easily tamed and can be friendly.
4. Will help guard the chickens and alert them to danger.

ps I want to raise it from a fluffy gosling.

 

[crewy05]

I don't know a lot about geese, but like ducks they are social animals, so i would advise you to have a minimum of 2 geese to keep each other company on the freezing cold and wet days when you don't want to be out side for to long.

 

[Katydid]

It sounds as though you have thought this through quite well but there are a couple of other things to consider before you proceed.
1) I do agree with crewy05, they are flock animals and do need other birds, preferably of their own kind.
2) Some geese can attack other birds. My geese have attacked my chickens and my ducks and I know of someone whose chickens were actually killed by their geese, so which breed you get is really important.
3) Geese need to eat 90% grass, other than that I feed only wheat.

Raising geese is really rewarding and they are unlikely to be agressive to you except during the breeding season, but ideally you should have at least 2.
I hope this helps.
Katydid

 

[dorsetduckowner]

Welcome Katydid
zo
x