by Good day. Today in our article there are 10 reasons to get and keep geese. Keeping small flocks of geese in private backyards in the suburbs is gaining popularity. Perhaps because many misconceptions about the nature of waterfowl are finally being replaced by accurate information about their correct maintenance and proper care.
10 Reasons to Get and Keep Geese
- Geese are devoted monogamists. They usually live in pairs and form strong bonds that can last their entire lives. (We humans could learn something from them.) A separated pair within earshot will call to each other constantly.
- Geese make excellent parents. By the way, one of the advantages of a strong pair bond is that the gander will fiercely protect his goose. Just like that and while she is sitting on the eggs in the nest. As soon as the goslings hatch, the gander will defend them just as bravely. At the same time, he helps his wife raise and educate the goslings. But one of the main advantages of breeding geese is that you do not need an incubator and a brooder to raise future generations – the goose and gander will do it for you.
- Geese are smart. One of our geese got into a fight with a ferret who was stealing eggs from his lover’s nest. The ferret bit a chunk out of the gander’s chest, causing a nasty wound that needed treatment. To prevent infection, the gander needed daily treatment for a month. An unpleasant procedure, which he demonstratively avoided every day. The morning after the month was up, we heard a knock at the door. It was the gander, waiting for his medicine. He slyly pretended to be against bandaging and taking medicine. But he was smart enough to realize that he needed it.
- Geese make good “guard dogs”. But many people are more afraid of geese than dogs. The first time I saw a guard goose was at a friend’s, whose yard was surrounded by a picket fence. Before I could open the gate, a gang of honking, hissing geese materialized and scared the living daylights out of me. Properly trained geese will respect their owners. But like my friend’s guard geese, they only become aggressive toward strangers. One gander I once raised became an assistant night watchman at a fruit juice cannery.
- Geese are not difficult to care for. You don’t need to spend a lot of money on goose food because geese can forage for most of their own food. where they have access to a pond, lawn, garden or chemical-free pasture. They are not particularly susceptible to disease and are extremely hardy. Even when they have access to shelter and a goose house, they prefer to stay outside in all weather conditions.
- Geese are good weed fighters. They can get most of their diet from plants. They do well on grass and weeds in wastelands and other areas, and are often kept on ponds. They are allowed to forage along drainage ditches to prevent excessive vegetation growth.
- Geese lay beautiful large eggs. One goose egg is equal to two chicken eggs, but it has more yolk to white. Goose eggs are delicious and can be cooked in any of the same ways as chicken eggs. The white shell is much stronger than the shell of a chicken egg. When measured by its largest circumference, the average goose egg is between 20 and 25 cm in circumference. Blown and dried, goose eggs are perfect for making ornaments and other crafts. Unfortunately, most geese only lay eggs seasonally, and the maximum number of eggs you can expect to lay in a year is 50.
- Goose meat is delicious. Eating poultry is a touchy subject, and I have to admit that it has been years since I could bring myself to pluck a goose raised in my own backyard, even though I love meat (and miss it). But the fact remains. Most breeds were bred primarily as meat birds. By the way, the meat of a properly cooked goose is juicy and tender. But not fatty.
- Geese are endlessly interesting. They are easy to befriend and fun to take care of, they are funny! For example, when we were building a retaining wall behind our house, our geese would gather on top of the fence post. They would sit and watch our every move. In addition, they would chatter loudly every time we laid a stone or set down a tool. Every afternoon when we finished work, the flock would come down to inspect our work. We had such a great time with our inspectors that we were sorry when the wall was finished. I bet the geese were also sad that our circus was over.
- Geese are long-lived. They have been known to live up to 40 years. If you have read all 10 reasons to get and keep geese on your property, plan to spend many years enjoying their company.
