Is this too many geese per gander

[N ID Goose mom]

I ordered geese this year. On recommendation from the hatchery, I ordered one gander and three geese. After reading many posts, I began wondering if there are too many geese to live happily as a flock with just the single gander. I might be thinking too much but I am keeping them as pets and don’t want unhappiness for 20 years. I also might have started something and will end up next year with three pairs. Lol. What did I get myself into. Does anyone know if my 4-some will be happy as a small gang vs with individual mates?

 

[sylviethecochin]

Domestic geese can be kept in pairs, but most have lost the monogamous instinct. A quartet should be happy together.

Good luck with your geese.

 

[The Dapper Duck]

This article is from an Australian extensions office (or something like that), and they recommend 3:1 for heavy breeds and 5:1 for light Chinese. I think you should be good to go, but that's not based on personal experience, just my own research.

 

[N ID Goose mom]

Domestic geese can be kept in pairs, but most have lost the monogamous instinct. A quartet should be happy together.

Good luck with your geese.

Thank you. We have the space for more but want to stay small.

 

[N ID Goose mom]

This article is from an Australian extensions office (or something like that), and they recommend 3:1 for heavy breeds and 5:1 for light Chinese. I think you should be good to go, but that's not based on personal experience, just my own research.

Thank you for the article . We’re getting Toulouse, so heavy breed. I’m happy 3:1 is fine.

 

[sourland]

Three geese to one gander should cause no problems. There is the outside possibility that the gander will not breed all the geese (some are indeed monogamous) but that should cause no problems unless you plan on hatching lots of goslings.

 

[N ID Goose mom]

Three geese to one gander should cause no problems. There is the outside possibility that the gander will not breed all the geese (some are indeed monogamous) but that should cause no problems unless you plan on hatching lots of goslings.

We’re just getting them for pets, mowing, and eggs. I would have a hard time selling the goslings not knowing how they will be treated/homed. Normally everything stays here until they pass away from old age. Along as they stay happy he can breed whom ever he wants, since they won’t be keeping the eggs.

 

[jtn42248]

I started with three (one gander and two geese). In their first year we increased to 11. We lost two (one couple) to a Bobcat. She was taken and he just decided it was not worth it without his mate. The remaining 9 have formed three groups (flocks). One couple, two bachelors and a gander with 4 females. We take all their eggs now to avoid any more since, like you, all our birds (chickens, ducks and geese) appreciate a lifetime retirement plan.

 

[N ID Goose mom]

I started with three (one gander and two geese). In their first year we increased to 11. We lost two (one couple) to a Bobcat. She was taken and he just decided it was not worth it without his mate. The remaining 9 have formed three groups (flocks). One couple, two bachelors and a gander with 4 females. We take all their eggs now to avoid any more since, like you, all our birds (chickens, ducks and geese) appreciate a lifetime retirement plan.

Thank you jtn42248. Since I’m getting Toulouse I’ve read the entire forum from start to finish. Reading about Sting and his girls was entertaining, especially the flying. It was also an eye opener when you ended up with 11. I’ve decided not to let them brood a clutch and end up 8+ gosling. Of course I’m saying that now a few weeks before they get here and start to enjoy their individual personalities.

 

[Iain Utah]

With production toulouse, you should be fine with 1 gander. Agree he may not bond with all the girls, but if 4-pack raised from birth as a group, they usually will stay very tight knit as a group.