Keeping geese is relatively easy compared to keeping many other poultry.
Geese require less care and maintenance, so keeping geese is very easy. In fact, geese can easily take care of themselves and it’s really interesting and relaxing to watch them in action.
Goose farming is becoming increasingly popular, especially among beginning farmers. Geese are raised for different purposes.
They are bred for their delicious meat and eggs to make the home even more beautiful, and are also kept as pets.
If you are a beginner and want to raise geese, you should know as much as possible about raising geese before you start. In fact, it takes less time and less labor to raise geese.
Goose rearing stages
As we mentioned above, “geese breeding is actually very easy and simple”. Although you need to know the correct steps. However, here we describe more information about breeding geese.
Determine the purpose of raising geese
Before you begin, you will need to determine the true purpose of raising geese. In fact, geese are raised for various purposes.
They are bred for eggs, meat, to add beauty to the property, or simply kept as pets. So, figure out your goal first and it will make the process of caring for geese easy and simple.
Choose a breed
Having determined the purpose of breeding geese, you need to choose a breed that suits your needs.
Geese are actually divided into three categories based on their size. These three categories are light, medium and heavy.
Light and medium geese are good for egg production, but heavy geese lay fewer eggs and are raised primarily for their tasty meat.
Chinese, Pilgrim and Saddleback are good breeds of smaller geese. They lay a large number of eggs (about 60 per year) and are also suitable for meat.
American geese are considered a good medium-sized breed. Toulouse and White Emden are the best breeds of heavy geese.
Some breeds of geese are aggressive in nature and some have excellent temperaments.
Some geese make excellent pets, and some breeds are very beautiful and suitable for decorating a property.
You can ask your friends who keep geese if you can’t decide which breed is right for you.
Build a shelter
Build a good shelter for your birds. Geese actually stay outside during the day if you let them roam free.
But they need shelter for the night. A good shelter also helps protect the birds from the weather.
So build a home for your geese that they will feel comfortable and safe in. And it will make them happy and they will grow well.
Buy birds and bring them home
Buy birds from one of the nearest breeders or stores. Your friends are also a great option to buy geese (if any of them keep geese). You can also consider buying online if the seller can deliver to your area.
If you are going to start with a minimum number of geese, consider at least a couple. Because geese are social birds and really like to stay in groups.
You can buy adult birds or goslings if you want to keep several birds. But if you plan to keep a lot of birds, consider buying goslings. It will cost you less money.
Whatever you choose (goslings or adult birds), take them home after purchase. If you are buying adult birds, you will need a large bird container or van. Be very careful when transporting birds.
goose care
Good care is an essential part of raising geese. Although geese tend to require less care and maintenance than many other poultry. When you bring the geese home, follow the instructions below.
Clip the wings of new geese
It is very important to clip the wings of newly purchased geese. Clip their wings before letting them go. Geese are very strong birds, so be very careful when clipping their wings.
You can’t clip their wings on your own. In fact, this is a difficult task, which usually requires 2-3 people.
To clip its wings, gently grasp its neck and hold it firmly against you.
Have another person carefully pick up the wing and unfold it, then cut off the shorter feathers at the base of the wing. Be very careful not to clip the wings.
Free the geese
Free the birds after clipping their wings. In fact, geese love to stay in water, so it’s best to have a goose pond.
You can let them go every morning and bring them back to their hiding place in the afternoon or evening.
Regular counseling will help them get used to the environment.
Feed them quality food
Good nutrition is very important for your geese. If you let the birds roam freely, they will take over most of their diet.
But you still have to give them cereals, grass or poultry pellets. Like other farm animals, geese need a balanced diet of energy, protein, vitamins and minerals.
Feed your goslings duck starter food. In winter, add oats and cereals to its diet. And also provide them with enough clean water if you don’t have a pond.
Additional care
Protect your geese from predators. You can make a fence around your garden or keep the geese indoors.
Provide bedding and nesting materials in their shelter. Clean your house, your food and your drinking troughs as often as possible. Good luck!
