Do Geese need a pool or not? + other Geese care questions.

[NinjaGamer2022]

Yesterday me and my family went out to do some errands and while we were out bought 2 goslings from are local farm store to be guardians for are chickens (we believe they are Chinese Geese). I noticed they had webbed feet while handling them earlier. So just researching how to care for them and people say geese need a pool. Does this apply for Chinese Geese? Also, can they eat 20% Protein Dumor Chick Starter or should I feed them some of are 30% Protein Purina Gamebird starter feed?
And lastly, we have already separated the two geese but for my curiosity will geese if kept together guard the flock or not? I've heard mixed things about that. Thank you.

 

[NinjaGamer2022]

And if they do need a pool, would i be safe to partly fill a kiddy pool with water if the waterline in lower than the chickens neck?

 

[NinjaGamer2022]

Also is nutritional yeast or brewers yeast better for Goslings and fully grown Geese? I have learned I will have to add one of these to their diet because they need Niacin. Or does Gamebird feed provide that?

 

[NinjaGamer2022]

And also, can Geese be coop trained?

 

[Goosebaby]

Geese should be on something more suited to waterfowl, like a flock raiser because they need more niacin and other B vitamins. Niacin isn’t the only B they need. Other vitamins like E are also critically important.

30% protein gamebird I’ve used for underweight adult birds, for goslings it could cause an issue like angel wing because it’s just too high in protein and carbs.

Brewers yeast is what a lot of people supplement with, I’ve alsways just given straight vitamins myself. @Miss Lydia @oldhenlikesdogs do you have recommendations for what kind of yeast brand is best?

A baby pool is just fine for any kind of goose and it will make their lives much better by having one. I have no idea how that would effect your chickens,, I don’t have chickens myself.

Geese can be trained to some extent, they like routines, they’ll go into their bedtime shed at night without any fuss when guided in at night, though they won’t go in unless they’re guided in.

Geese don’t make good flock guardians. They will deter hawks but nothing else, they can’t protect themselves let alone anything else from larger/other predators.
Geese are also questionable flock companions, they generally don’t like other bids I’ve found, they can bond with an individual of another species but most of the time they just tolerate the presence of chickens and ducks as long as they give them personal space. If the chicken or duck doesn’t maintain boundaries it can end badly for them sometimes.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I've always used Purina flock raiser and don't add anything. I also provide lots of grass from day one. They sure can eat it.

My geese have a shallow dug pond that dries up eventually. They are quite contented with multiple shallow pans to stand in, and a deep 5 gallon bucket of water to wash in. A pool is not necessary, but you can use one of you wish. Your chickens won't bother with it, except to perhaps drink out of it.

My geese have been fickle. Some don't mind my other poultry, and some have killed chickens, so be aware it could go either way. It seems the more familiar they are with other birds the less they bother them, but they are quick to change their minds.

 

[Miss Lydia]

All flock here too. But when young I do add Nutritional yeast to their feed at 1 Tab per cup of feed. I also keep the liquid B complex on hand in case one still come up with weak legs. haven't had it happen but would rather be prepared than not.
My geese love their kiddy pool I got the biggest one I could find but they also like the small one. Bathing helps keep their feathers looking good and also keeps off external parasites.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/categories/geese.31/
my rooster is our main watch bird and gives the warning to run for cover.
Geese cannot defend themselves or others. They will defend their goslings to the death though. They are wonderful parents. Please share pics of your new babies.

 

[NinjaGamer2022]

Thank you all for this info. Do you think Dumor's 20% protein chick starter will be OK? We only have that and Purina's 30% Gamebird starter at the moment. I just looked up are chick starter and they claim that pretty much any fowl can use it for a time. It says geese up to 8 weeks in age.

 

[NinjaGamer2022]

I've always used Purina flock raiser and don't add anything. I also provide lots of grass from day one. They sure can eat it.

My geese have a shallow dug pond that dries up eventually. They are quite contented with multiple shallow pans to stand in, and a deep 5 gallon bucket of water to wash in. A pool is not necessary, but you can use one of you wish. Your chickens won't bother with it, except to perhaps drink out of it.

My geese have been fickle. Some don't mind my other poultry, and some have killed chickens, so be aware it could go either way. It seems the more familiar they are with other birds the less they bother them, but they are quick to change their minds.

They are very young goslings and we have them both seperated from one another with many chicks. Do you think it's likely that would happen? We got them more for an emergency alarm then to fight back predators. What do you think of are plan? Thanks,

 

[Miss Lydia]

Yes just be sure to add Nutritional yeast so they get a good amount of niacin.