Homesteaders love yard birds, but we generally stick with chickens and ducks. Chickens and ducks are great, but avoiding the benefits of geese on the homestead can be detrimental to our income, enjoyment, and level of self-sufficiency. Incorporating an animal that most others don’t have into our homestead helps us stand out in the market. Of course, geese have a reputation for being difficult, even mean, animals. But, when reared properly, this is simply not true. Keeping them is a relatively low-maintenance project with many benefits, which makes raising geese on a small homestead a great idea.
The first benefit of geese is that they require minimal work once they are established. Geese require almost the same care as ducks, making them easy to raise together. Second, geese are terrific for the garden; since they like grasses but avoid broadleaf plants, they thoroughly and gently weed in between established plants, and pick pests off of them while they’re at it. When the ground is too wet to hoe, geese can do the job for you. An added benefit for gardeners is that while geese are weeding, they are also fertilizing. Third, geese have a strong flocking instinct, making it very easy to herd them from one place to another. They will also return home as a flock every night. Finally, because geese are territorial, they will alert you to intruders, whether that be snakes or two- or four-legged animals.
It’s their territorial tendencies that give them the reputation of being unfriendly. And it’s true – geese are large animals with the desire and the capability to protect their nests, eggs, and young. Domesticated geese have lost their fear of humans and have learned that humans will flee if they act intimidating enough. If you start with goslings, handle them frequently and gently, and stick with a consistent feeding and socialization schedule, your geese will come to know and trust you. Geese raised in this manner are not aggressive except in extraordinary circumstances.
There are other ways to avoid being attacked by a goose. Know the warning signs. When geese lower their heads and hiss, they are telling you to move out of their space. Do not run. Walk backwards, slowly, until the goose raises its head. Geese do not have teeth, but they do have tomia – sharp structures located on the bill and tongue – that can result in scratches if they “bite” you. The worst injury comes from being struck by their wings. If this happens to you, you were entirely too close to a goose that had given you ample signals and time to back away.
There are many breeds to choose from. If you are truly worried about their temperament, the American Buff is a good choice. This breed is friendly and docile, and they make good parents. American Buffs lay between 15 and 25 eggs a year. There are three other breeds I feel are especially suited for small homesteads.
African geese lay between 25 and 40 eggs each year, and they are relatively small, reaching a market weight of 18-20 pounds. They have less fat than most other breeds. African geese will occasionally want to take flight.
Chinese geese are even smaller than African geese, reaching a market weight of 10-12 pounds, and they are the best layers of fertile eggs. If you want to hatch out your own flock consistently, this is the breed for you. Chinese geese are prone to taking flight.
If you want a larger bird, Emden geese foot the bill. The market weight of Emden geese is 20-22 pounds. They have white feathers, making for a clean-looking meat bird. The weight and clean appearance make this breed a smart choice for homesteaders who want to market a “Christmas Goose.” Emdens lay between 35 and 40 eggs each year.
Geese do not require a full coop as chickens do, but only a simple and sturdy structure in a shady area that protects them from inclement weather. Geese consume a large amount of water, so providing a trough is a good idea. Geese also need a body of water for successful mating and their general happiness and well-being.
Geese raised on pasture will consume a majority of their nutritional needs through forage. In addition to plant material, they consume insects, snails, and worms. Supplement their pasture just as you do ducks, with vegetable scraps and leafy greens. As they are approaching market weight, you can supplement with a poultry finishing feed if desired.
You can breed your geese at one year of age. For large breeds, keep one gander for every five geese. Smaller breeds need one gander per three geese. Geese like to lay their eggs in a protected area. Provide a nesting box (or sideways barrel) that is large enough to accommodate the goose. Add nesting material. She may decide to lay her eggs in the place you provide, or she may make a nest somewhere in the pasture. Breeding season generally begins in February or March. She will start laying eggs a month after mating has begun. If you are going to incubate the eggs yourself, collect twice a day.
Broiler-type geese reach market weight, 9 pounds, around 10 weeks of age. Heavy-type geese can be raised to 13 pounds in approximately 15 weeks.
Seasonal Geese Husbandry Timetable
Winter
- Harvest geese for meat.
- Prepare nesting boxes for breeding geese.
- Put molasses in the water trough so water does not freeze.
- Increase calories.
- Supplement feed if pasture is frozen.
Spring
- Begin checking for eggs.
- Give unlimited access to pasture for the rest of the year.
- Check and repair fencing.
Summer
- Ensure geese have access to shade.
- Provide fresh water daily – twice a day if necessary.
Autumn
- Separate your breeders from the rest of the gaggle.
- Market geese to current customers and online.
Homestead Income from Geese
There are several ways to earn income from your flock. If you run a CSA, give your current customers the opportunity to purchase a goose for their holiday meal. You can also have a sign-up form at your farmers market booth. Although you probably cannot sell processed meat at the farmers market, you can get a list of people who want to buy a goose. Take down their contact information, and perhaps a deposit, and contact them when the goose is ready for pick-up. A whole, processed goose starts at $120. You can also market both goose eggs and meat directly to ethnic markets. Asian markets are the most interested in these products year-round.
Some complementary income sources are also available. Goose eggs command a high price in the market, starting at $10 an egg. You can lower the price slightly if you have regular customers and consistent eggs. You can rent out your gaggle. Less destructive than goats, but just as effective, geese will clear out ditches and other hard-to-reach places that must be maintained. If you are harvesting and processing your geese, you can use the feathers and down. Do not pluck the down off live geese – it hurts them! Sell them to crafters or use them in your own value-added crafts.
Do not be afraid to order those goslings and start your flock of geese. They provide multiple benefits and very few drawbacks, adding real value to your homestead operation.
