Favorite and friendly goose breeds.

[Chick-in]

So far I absolutely love having geese. A lot of people are afraid of them, but there are non aggressive breeds out there. Some geese can be friendly regardless of breed? But it's not the general rule. Over the years I've tested a few breeds.

Functionality is the other factor. Do they decently lay eggs, produce meat, are they overly noisy?

Here are my top three:

1. The American Buff goose:
*Known for being dual purpose.
*They lay and hatch beautifully.
*Their size is astounding (especially if you buy from an exhibition breeder)
*Their species is on the watch list, so the more the merrier.
* Extremely docile (never breed aggressive males of any bird. They do pass their traits down)
*Very protective of babies and other animals.
*The most quiet breed so far. Only honking when necessary.
*Prefer to keep distance from people.
*Wander more than other 2 breeds listed.
*Will adopt babies if they hatched some recently.

2. Tallouse goose:
*Size is smaller than the buff, but decent enough.
*Not aggressive
*Quiet like the buff
*Good egg hatchers
*Grows slower than buff
*More personable than buff
*On the watch list as well.

3. Embden goose:
*Size larger than Talouse, smaller than buff. Still decent for eating.
*Docile most of the time.
*Good layers, not as good at hatching.
*like to get close and personable
*Fairly noisy, but usually it's at something and they honk when a dog barks as well.
*They like to groom other farm animals.
*Adopt any babies without hesitation regardless of age.

 

[Goosebaby]

Buffs are very sweet, though my first Buff “Isabel” who otherwise didn’t have a mean bone in her and had never shown any sign of aggression in her life chased down and tried to attack the pg&e meter reader just moments after she had told me that she had a phobia of geese, so I guess buffs can smell weakness probably.

 

[Chick-in]

Buffs are very sweet, though my first Buff “Isabel” who otherwise didn’t have a mean bone in her and had never shown any sign of aggression in her life chased down and tried to attack the pg&e meter reader just moments after she had told me that she had a phobia of geese, so I guess buffs can smell weakness probably.

Bwahahaha...
Well, I do know that geese bluff. If someone runs or acts intimidated during a bluff, they will chase. Especially if it's someone they are not used to seeing around. They all do it when it's setting and hatchling time to everyone. Usually the paired male though, unless you go up to the currently setting goose. Don't mess with those mammas.