A New Yard for My Geese
My growing gaggle of geese has a large new home at my Bedford, New York farm.
I now have a total of 18 beautiful geese - Sebastopol geese, Toulouse geese, African geese, Chinese geese, and of course my Pomeranian guard geese. Recently, I decided to move most of them to a larger enclosure right next to the peafowl and the pigeons, where they can enjoy more room to roam. I am so happy to report all are doing well and enjoying each other’s company.
Here are some photos.
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- This yard, adjacent to the fancy pigeons and peafowl, was not being used, so I moved 13 of the geese to this enclosure. It is located right outside my stable, where they can be watched closely during the day.
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- The space is flat and large enough to accommodate my growing gaggle.
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- The geese were unsure of their new surroundings at first, but were eager to explore the space right away.
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- One of the first things we moved into their pen was their wading pool and ramp. While both ducks and geese love water, geese don’t require a pond or large swimming pool – they swim much less than ducks and are content with a small dipping pool where they can dunk and clean their noses and beaks.
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- As some of you know, I have a variety of goose breeds. These two are Sebastopol geese. Sebastopols are considered medium-sized birds. Both males and females have pure white feathers that contrast with their bright blue eyes and orange bills and feet. Sebastopol geese have large, rounded heads, slightly arched necks, and keelless breasts. And what is most striking is the plumage. The plumage of the head and upper two-thirds of the neck is smooth, while that of the breast and underbody is elongated and well-curled.
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- The Sebastopol is also referred to as a Danubian goose. The name ‘Danubian’ was first used for the breed in 1863 Ireland. This one was hatched right here at the farm.
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- This buff-brown goose is a Toulouse. On this breed, the bill is stout, the head large and broad, and the moderately long neck is thick and nearly straight. Often suspended from the lower bill and upper neck is a heavy, folded dewlap that increases in size and fullness with age. The body is long, broad and deep, ending in a well-spread tail that points up slightly.
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- The Toulouse has a rounded breast, and often exhibits a wide keel. The abdomen is double-lobed and often brushes the ground, particularly in females during the early spring. All the geese have lots of plumage to keep them warm.
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- Here is my pair of Chinese geese. The Chinese goose is refined and curvaceous. Its bill is relatively long and slender, with a large, rounded, erect knob that attaches to its forehead. The Chinese goose holds its head high. Its head flows seamlessly into a long, slim, well-arched neck which meets the body at about a 45 degree angle. Its body is short, and has a prominent and well-rounded chest, smooth breast and no keel. Mature ganders average 12 pounds, while mature geese average 10 pounds.
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- These geese most likely descended from the swan goose in Asia, though over time developed different physical characteristics, such as longer necks and more compact bodies. The Chinese goose is a very hardy and low-maintenance breed. Because they can actively graze and forage for food, they are often nicknamed “weeder geese.”
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- Here, one can see the difference in body type between the slender Chinese goose and the Sebastopols. Unlike most bird species, which molt their feathers one at a time, waterfowl lose their flight feathers all at once. This is called a “simultaneous wing molt”. Geese typically undergo just one complete molt a year, during summer, replacing all body, wing, and tail feathers shortly after the nesting season.
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- This is one of my pair of African geese – a breed that has a heavy body, thick neck, stout bill, and jaunty posture which gives the impression of strength and vitality. The African is a relative of the Chinese goose, both having descended from the wild swan goose native to Asia. The mature African goose has a large knob attached to its forehead, which requires several years to develop. A smooth, crescent-shaped dewlap hangs from its lower jaw and upper neck. Its body is nearly as wide as it is long.
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- The plumage is a combination of browns, buffs, grays and white. A dark brown stripe runs over the crown of the head and down the back of the neck. On mature birds, a narrow band of whitish feathers separates the satin-black bill and knob from the brown head.
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- All the geese love to congregate together. I am so happy they all get along.
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- Here is a Sebastopol in a nest of hay. The goose is sitting on an egg, while her gander protects her.
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- Geese are grazing birds which means they eat a variety of different items. They eat roots, shoots, stems, seeds, and leaves of grass and grain, bulbs, and berries. They also eat small insects. I provide them with fresh greens from the gardens every day and also fortify their diet with a mix specifically made for waterfowl.
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- My gaggle of geese is fun, friendly, personable and protective. They can often be seen walking through the pen in one large group.
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- Here’s a pair resting on the other side of the enclosure. I think they feel very comfortable in this new space.
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- These geese are also good runners. Here, these two are traveling together to another area of the yard.
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- And where are my Pomeranian guard geese? These geese will remain in the chicken coop where they can happily watch over my flock of chickens and Guinea fowl.
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- This pair is the oldest of my geese and is almost always together – honking and hissing at anyone who comes near.
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- Thanks to their honks, these geese make excellent guardians for my chickens. They can scare off any animals that would otherwise bother the hens, and they are known to be great at spotting aerial predators, such as hawks and falcons. Fortunately, the top of the poultry yard is also completely fenced. I am so glad all my geese are thriving here at the farm.
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