African Geese
Why geese?
Geese can be raised almost exclusively on good pasture for quality, nutritious eggs and meat. They are very hardy in all weather, and resistant to many diseases that plague turkeys and chickens. Their colorful plumage and the almost pompous air about them makes them extremely entertaining. They are great watch dogs and alert us when things are amiss in the barnyard. Most breeds are excellent parents, and it is fun to watch the little families.
After doing much homework and our own personal experience with goose behavior thus far, we agree with this expert opinion on the subject of "aggressive" geese: "It is the exception rather than the rule for geese to be aggressive, excluding the breeding season when they become protective of their nesting territory and goslings." - Dave Holderread, "The Book of Geese"
Like any livestock, appropriate management can prevent a heap of problems.
We sourced our foundation stock from Pete Dempsey.
Geese can be raised almost exclusively on good pasture for quality, nutritious eggs and meat. They are very hardy in all weather, and resistant to many diseases that plague turkeys and chickens. Their colorful plumage and the almost pompous air about them makes them extremely entertaining. They are great watch dogs and alert us when things are amiss in the barnyard. Most breeds are excellent parents, and it is fun to watch the little families.
After doing much homework and our own personal experience with goose behavior thus far, we agree with this expert opinion on the subject of "aggressive" geese: "It is the exception rather than the rule for geese to be aggressive, excluding the breeding season when they become protective of their nesting territory and goslings." - Dave Holderread, "The Book of Geese"
Like any livestock, appropriate management can prevent a heap of problems.
We sourced our foundation stock from Pete Dempsey.
About African Geese:
- Heavyweight geese - 20lbs males, 18lbs females
- Slow maturing
- Flightless
- Hardy and adaptable (they do need a windbreak to protect their knobs from frostbite in our climate)
- Intelligent; often personable with their keepers
- Good parents - they will hatch and brood their own young; most will even adopt goslings not their own!
- 20-45 extra large eggs per year
- Excellent foragers - can be raised exclusively on good pasture during the spring and summer
- Good watchdogs, rather noisy; will alert to intruders and can be protective of their nests
- We have the original APA Brown color as well as Buff
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1 year old Brown goose
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1 year old Buff gander
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