We are considering a new enclosure for the geese and I am wondering if people out there know about the needs of geese and design pointers for secure housing of geese?
Re: What do geese need? Geese are great. in a previous life i lived with them for 15 years or so. They are (reasonably) intelligent, (Muscovies are brighter) social animals undeserving of their fierce reputation They like water and prefer to mate in it (It needs to be about two geese deep (!) However they will survive without it. They cope with foxes but pack dogs can be a problem on small groups. Apart from that they are very easy to have around although they do have a mind of their own. many are afraid of them so they make good gard dogs. they are territorail and will make quite a ruckus when their territory is invaded (Although mine seemed to make a ruckus just for the fun of it.( while my wife would constantly send me in my wee-willie nightdress to check that we weren't being robbed) My kids used to have 1 day old goslings in bonnets and prams. Our daughter when five (!!) collected babies with impunity. Something many adults-humans would be frightened to do. A good bash from a Goose wing is said to be able to break a man's arm. This gentling and early contact with humans made our geese fairly amenable. They have a strict pecking order and establish dominance by stretching their necks. I counted this by using my hand and arm goose-necked-shaped to establish my dominance. This John Clease like performance amused everyone. They are VERY protective of their young and will form a circle around them (Like Wild West Wagons) when threatened. They can be herded and eat a lot of weeds & weed seeds. They are strict vegetarians. Lavender growers are said to use them to weed fields as they won't eat lavender bushes. They LOVE chillies. I never did get around to cooking with the eggs, but they are said to help make fantastic sponge cakes. What else do you want to know? What type do you have? PS It is too hot to garden very muggy here now.
Re: What do geese need? Thanks Janahn but my question runs more to housing as the geese roam during the day but at night we lock them away to protect from dogs and foxes both of which abound this close to town.
Re: What do geese need? i adapted the frame of an old polly house/tunnel (Wire coated instead of plastic). The geese seem able to cope with all but the hungriest and most determined fox (ie a hungry vixen with young) . Pack dogs are another question. Their instinct is to protect their young and they always mount a group defense to threats. Mostly this works as long as the odds are with them. Mine always roamed about freely in daytime.
Re: What do geese need? Solar-powered electric net fencing. https://www.maxflex.com/Nets_page1.HTM Sue
Re: What do geese need? Thanks Sue a great idea. In Australia https://www.allsun.com.au/Electranets.html
Re: What do geese need? i just found another forum for hot or very wet days. https://forum.backyardpoultry.com/viewto ... se#p285095 That is a link to a person asking your question re housing.
Re: What do geese need? Thanks MA now we need more hot wet days - or I will have to give up cheese making!
Re: What do geese need? You have been holding out on me! Home made Cheese! Are you into barter? Zeolite for cheese?
