tricks or secret to keeping grass growing with geese?

[Billy-jean]

I have adopted 2 geese a couple weeks ago,and since,have enlarged my run space a lot to include more grass. seeing as they eat the grass,,is there any point to seeding grass seed and letting it grow? I can't have them running loose in my whole yard,as I have dogs and don't want any chasing or unfortunate events! So I have given them( which included 6 ducks ,6 hens and 1 rabbit) a huge run for daytime,,as well as a pond I made for them. But the grass section is already gone down to almost nothing,,so is seeding worth it?? Or can I feed them a bucket of fresh grass and green alfalfa from the field every day?

 

[Going Bhonkers]

You can do a bucket with greens like you mentioned. I just seeded a small area in the back of my goose coop to see if I can get some grass growing. If it grows, I plan on keeping part of it sectioned from my geese to allow for more growth and then rotate the sectioned area so that one part will always be protected from over eating. Thats the plan anyway. We'll see if it works.

 

[Billy-jean]

You can do a bucket with greens like you mentioned. I just seeded a small area in the back of my goose coop to see if I can get some grass growing. If it grows, I plan on keeping part of it sectioned from my geese to allow for more growth and then rotate the sectioned area so that one part will always be protected from over eating. Thats the plan anyway. We'll see if it works.

cool idea! So do you also give them greens in a bucket? daily? I might try that trick with the seeding....smart

 

[kimberly35042]

Think "paddocks" with geese more than pens. Rotational grazing is your best bet. And even though you only have 2 geese right now, they are kindof ADDICTIVE!!!

I'm trying the Premier fence netting. I'm going with the sheep net over the poultry netting just so goslings won't go through the net. So far, we have installed 3 100' rolls, and it was a breeze. 1 more roll to go and then turn on the zapper.
Can't stress how easy it went up and fencing of any kind is generally a royal pain.

You mentioned alfalfa fields??? Boy I bet they love that! I would pick my breeders the tall rye grass and clover back in early spring and take to them. But to make it easier, if possible, let them pick their own! I still give romaine lettuce treats. They lose their minds over it....silly geese!

 

[larkflying]

We love the premier fencing too -- didn't realize the sheep fence had smaller holes though. They learn pretty fast to stay in the wire . . . it is nice that geese like to chew on things -- they chew on the fence, and lo, it bites them back. Lots of honking last week, but I notice my goslings aren't trying to eat through the fence any more. I love being able to move it -- my geese keep so much grass mowed and save me so much time and gas - not to mention fertilizing as they go . . .

I'd definately recommend rotating some kind of pasture for them. It is so much easier when they can eat their own grass . . . but, if you don't put chemicals on your lawn, you can also feed them the clippings when you mow. I'd do that if I didn't have room for them to forage . . .

 

[plantcityhomestead]

We love the premier fencing too -- didn't realize the sheep fence had smaller holes though. They learn pretty fast to stay in the wire . . . it is nice that geese like to chew on things -- they chew on the fence, and lo, it bites them back. Lots of honking last week, but I notice my goslings aren't trying to eat through the fence any more. I love being able to move it -- my geese keep so much grass mowed and save me so much time and gas - not to mention fertilizing as they go . . .

I'd definately recommend rotating some kind of pasture for them. It is so much easier when they can eat their own grass . . . but, if you don't put chemicals on your lawn, you can also feed them the clippings when you mow. I'd do that if I didn't have room for them to forage . . .

Would have loved a video of that one.

 

[Billy-jean]

Is hay an option ?

 

[larkflying]

Beeliz: I think people feed alfalfa in the winter where there is lots of snow . . . I think if there was any chance of living grass though, the geese would go for that first. Lawn clippings, salad, even weeds will be nibbled on. I feed mine lots of watermelon in the summer . . . .

PlantCity: Oh, I wish I had a video too . . . I was weeding on the other side of the fields and I could hear the honking from there . . . I'm sure the babies would get zapped (they are more like teenagers now, though), and then the adult geese all had to comment on it and glare at the fence (or say I told you so).

 

[Going Bhonkers]

Is hay an option ?

I dont do the greens in a bucket. Mine free range (well, really they follow us around and just hang out in an area where they can see us, but when they get older I imagine they'll free-range it more), I've only got 1 dog & he's learned to stay away from the geese. They go in to their goose coop at night. I do give them some cuttings of some veggies that I planted for them (swiss chard, and a salad mix, according to what was on the seed packet), but not a lot because the plants are still small.

Yeah, having some sort of movable fence or pen would be a good idea, maybe put them in it when you're outside and can keep an eye on them so it gives them a chance to explore other areas of your yard? And then put them back in the run when you head in. It might sound like more work, but at least you'll have happier geese.

Oh! also, hay is not an option. They might chew it, but really wont get any nutrients from it. the fresher & green, the better.

 

[Billy-jean]

ok,,that's an idea too,,the move-able fence. I can definitely do that for them,,,as well as give clippings every day when I can't get them out..

~**Larkflying**~ Video please!! lol~!