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Would you like to have geese on your homestead? There are many benefits to keeping geese, including their ease of raising and self-sufficiency. Geese are also often excellent mothers. Despite being easier than chickens, they are quite different from them.
Night vision of geese is poor, despite their excellent daytime defense against intruders. They can't fight off what they can't see. Be sure to confine them safely at night.
In addition to clean ground floors in their coops, geese need large nest boxes on the ground. Elevated nest boxes can't be accessed by them.
Make sure their waterer is small in the winter and not easily spilled. They'll try to climb in to bathe, and afterward, their breasts and feet will freeze and ice.
During the winter, keep them as dry as possible if you live in a cold climate. Despite the fact that eating snow seems difficult, it is more pleasant than helping a panicked goose out of the ice.
Whether or not you plan to harvest geese for meat, there will always be that occasional gander that won't be tamed. The rare treat you get when you need to harvest to avoid attacking behavior is worth it.
Even though they will accept you as part of the flock, visitors may have a different experience. They may harass anyone who isn't part of their flock. Their watchdog-like behavior makes them an ideal addition to a rural homestead where very few people visit.
Do you currently raise any geese? How have they been so far for you?
Geese Are Grazers
Chickens and ducks prefer insects and high-protein feed, but geese prefer grazing. Grass is quickly converted into meat and eggs by their digestive system, which is similar to that of a horse. Ensure that they have access to fresh feed as well as green forage.Geese Are Very Hardy
It is not unusual for them to stay outdoors during the day even in very cold climates. No matter what kind of blizzard there is, some will lie contentedly, grooming themselves in the snow. Consequently, they need only the simplest housing, just enough to keep predators at bay.While Free-Ranging, Geese Can Defend Themselves Better Than Chickens
Fortunately, geese are excellent at defending themselves against predators, making them perfect for free-range poultry. In some poultry farms, they are added to flocks of chickens that are free-ranging to protect the chickens from predators.Night vision of geese is poor, despite their excellent daytime defense against intruders. They can't fight off what they can't see. Be sure to confine them safely at night.
Geese Don't Roost
The large feet of geese enable them to walk across wet ground and paddle through the water. There are some significant differences between these feet and those of chickens or other birds that use perches.In addition to clean ground floors in their coops, geese need large nest boxes on the ground. Elevated nest boxes can't be accessed by them.
Geese Are Water Birds
Geese are waterfowl and are most comfortable when they have water to bathe in, but you don't need a full pond. When it's warm, they're happy to splash around in a kiddie pool.Make sure their waterer is small in the winter and not easily spilled. They'll try to climb in to bathe, and afterward, their breasts and feet will freeze and ice.
During the winter, keep them as dry as possible if you live in a cold climate. Despite the fact that eating snow seems difficult, it is more pleasant than helping a panicked goose out of the ice.
Goose Eggs Needs Moisture To Hatch
As land birds, chickens have very dry nests, but mother geese must bathe to moisten their feathers during incubation to keep their eggs moist. Due to this extra moisture, goose eggs cook a little differently than chicken eggs. There is a much larger, richer yolk, but a thinner white.Goose Meat Is More Like Beef Than Chicken
You'll be pleasantly surprised to discover that goose meat tastes more like beef than poultry if you raise geese for meat. With goose meat, small farmers can add variety to their harvests without the responsibility or expense of raising cows.Whether or not you plan to harvest geese for meat, there will always be that occasional gander that won't be tamed. The rare treat you get when you need to harvest to avoid attacking behavior is worth it.
Aren't Geese Aggressive?
Despite their reputation for aggression, geese are more likely to be aggressive because of how they are handled. Geese raised by hand are loyal to their owners and accept them as part of the flock.Even though they will accept you as part of the flock, visitors may have a different experience. They may harass anyone who isn't part of their flock. Their watchdog-like behavior makes them an ideal addition to a rural homestead where very few people visit.
Do you currently raise any geese? How have they been so far for you?
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