Carnivore Geese?

[Fishwife]

Hello All...

So when we bought this place, there were three geese on the pond, and they would come up to the dock to eat the floating catfish feed when the old owner would be feeding the fish.. Fine. An occasional treat once a day.

We now have five geese, one pet and two with their mom and dad out by the pond. We feed the fish every night and have a Docktail..

The geese would eat the fish food that floated to the shore, as it has molasses in it, we assumed it was a treat for them.

The gander dad has started eating the small fish that come in to nibble the feed, and one of the boys has started doing it as well, following in Gander's lead. At first the gander would just strike at the fish in annoyance as he was trying to eat nibbles.

He would occasionally accidentally grab a fish and spit it out before, but having tried one, so to speak, he is now actively fishing..

If a fish is too large, he breaks it down into smaller pieces and then eats it..

I'm somewhat freaked out by this. They all get Flock Raiser, and graze on the grass up here, but I was wondering if anyone has ever heard of this, or experienced it, or what??? So far, he is healthy and seem to have no problems getting the fish in and out, if you follow my drift..

But what the heck??? Am I missing some protein in their diet? I think the FR has something like 19% protein.. I'm perplexed..

Thank you!

Post script: We aren't out there during the main part of the day, so cannot say if he's eating fish only when we are present, or has made them a part of his diet..

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hello All...

So when we bought this place, there were three geese on the pond, and they would come up to the dock to eat the floating catfish feed when the old owner would be feeding the fish.. Fine. An occasional treat once a day.

We now have five geese, one pet and two with their mom and dad out by the pond. We feed the fish every night and have a Docktail..

The geese would eat the fish food that floated to the shore, as it has molasses in it, we assumed it was a treat for them.

The gander dad has started eating the small fish that come in to nibble the feed, and one of the boys has started doing it as well, following in Gander's lead. At first the gander would just strike at the fish in annoyance as he was trying to eat nibbles.

He would occasionally accidentally grab a fish and spit it out before, but having tried one, so to speak, he is now actively fishing..

If a fish is too large, he breaks it down into smaller pieces and then eats it..

I'm somewhat freaked out by this. They all get Flock Raiser, and graze on the grass up here, but I was wondering if anyone has ever heard of this, or experienced it, or what??? So far, he is healthy and seem to have no problems getting the fish in and out, if you follow my drift..

But what the heck??? Am I missing some protein in their diet? I think the FR has something like 19% protein.. I'm perplexed..

Thank you!

Post script: We aren't out there during the main part of the day, so cannot say if he's eating fish only when we are present, or has made them a part of his diet..

I've not heard of domestic geese eating fish, I think wild geese do though. I will tell you my Toulouse goose eats the dried meal worms I throw out for my chickens and Muscovies. So I guess anything is possible. I doubt the fish would hurt them in anyway. eating them I mean.

 

[Oregon Blues]

If he is eating fish, then I guess that shows that geese will eat fish.

My geese love the dry cat kibbles that are made with fish. I occasionally see them eat a bug. Although not often. They are predominantly herbivores, but sometimes you get animals who didn't read the textbooks.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I was just googling about geese eating fish, and only found one place where they said Canadian geese may eat minnows.

 

[wildpeas]

When my geese still had a duck in with them they would sometimes try to eat slugs. They would always spit them out. The other night one of my geese ate a mosquito eater. I was really surprised when she didn't spit it out but instead swallowed it. They definitely dont go looking for them though, I think this one was just in her way so she ate it.

 

[Fishwife]

Wow, thanks guys..I was just worried the fish would hurt the Gander I guess, but he's still out there fishing around for snacks, so I guess he knows best what he wants. This has been such an adventure.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Wow, thanks guys..I was just worried the fish would hurt the Gander I guess, but he's still out there fishing around for snacks, so I guess he knows best what he wants. This has been such an adventure.

What breed are your geese? and we always enjoy pics.

 

[Iain Utah]

While geese are predominantly pasture grazers, they are omnivores. Fishmeal is one of the primary ingredients in mazuri waterfowl food, and my vet believes prescription fish oil (not over the counter as it contains too much mercury) is a wonderful supplement for geese.

 

[Ana Tidae]

I have seen my geese eat flies and even steal some dog food, so I know they aren't strict vegetarians.
I wouldn't worry about them depleting a pond or anything like that though.

 

[Miss Lydia]

One time when I was digging worms for my ducks my gander joined in on the frenzy and ate about 3 worms then it's like he shook his head and came to his senses and thought wow what am I doing. Never seen him interested since. lol