Geese

Geese

For many, owning backyard poultry starts with chickens. For those wishing to expand their homestead or wanting to raise a unique flock, geese might be your next great adventure. These intelligent, hardy waterfowl not only add honks and personality to your property, but they also bring pest control, protection to your coop and other desirable advantages. Find these birds at Tractor Supply.

Great Additions to Life Out Here

While often overlooked for more common poultry, geese can bring a surprising range of benefits to your homestead, making them excellent additions to your new or existing flock. When shopping for goose eggs at America’s largest rural lifestyle retailer, you will be rewarded in the following ways:

Natural Guardians

Geese are known to be instinctually alert and protective, defending their flock from various predators. Their loud, distinct honks and aggressive displays, such as hissing and wing flapping, help to deter perceived threats. Their behaviors can effectively warn other birds – and you – that a threat is close by, allowing you to intervene in time.

Sustainable Grazing

Geese are primarily herbivores and enjoy grazing on grass, clover, weeds and other vegetation. Their grazing tenancies make them natural lawnmowers for your land, helping to control unwanted growth while supplementing their diet. This not only benefits your lawn but also reduces your feed costs.

Egg Production

While not often the primary reason for keeping geese, they do lay large, nutrient-dense eggs seasonally. They cannot compete with chickens in terms of quantity, but geese lay eggs that are typically rich and flavorful, providing you with a tasty source of protein. Most keepers use eggs from geese for baking or special recipes.

Personality and Companionship

These birds bring a certain charm to backyard flocks with their upright posture, curious nature and vocal personalities. Geese are intelligent animals and capable of forming strong bonds with their keepers, especially when raised from goslings. With the proper care, they are known to be tame, follow routines and even respond to your voice.

Frequently Asked Questions About Geese

Can geese live with other poultry?

Geese can coexist peacefully with other poultry, including chickens and ducks, especially when the mixed flock is raised together at a young age. It is essential to follow best practices when raising different bird species in the same coop, such as providing adequate space, creating separate feeding areas and monitoring for signs of bullying.

Are geese aggressive birds?

While geese can be territorial, particularly during breeding season or when they feel they are threatened, most aggression is bluffing and can be minimized with proper handling and space. Geese raised as goslings tend to be gentler and more friendly with humans and other birds.

What do geese eat?

Geese get a portion of their nutrition from grass and weeds but still require feed, especially in winter when grazing opportunities are limited. You should also provide your poultry with access to clean water while eating.

Shop Goose Eggs and Poultry Must-Haves at Tractor Supply

Incorporating geese into your backyard coop can help you achieve a more diverse, functional and engaging homestead. Because of their different needs compared to other types of poultry, preparation and having the right supplies goes a long way to sustaining a productive and happy flock. Shop for goose eggs and equipment at your local Tractor Supply store or browse our selection online.