Category: Geese

Geese

Rearing

  • Geese are excellent grazers and do well on rough land.
  • Elaborate housing is not needed, just shelter against the sun, and storms, but protection from the fox is advisable.
  • Geese seldom suffer from disease, however use of the same land can lead to gizzard worm.
  • Stocking rate : 40-50 Adult geese per acre.

Care of Goslings

  • Goslings need heat from day-old to 1-2 weeks old
  • Goslings are best kept on grass and should not be allowed to become too wet.
  • A 250 watt, infra red lamp will brood 30-40 goslings. Suspend the lamp 15 inches above litter and gradually raise when weaning off heat.
  • A surround of hardboard will keep out draughts.
  • Use straw for bedding

Feeding

  • Use a good goose/duck starter when young.
  • Use oyster grit to assist digestion.
  • When on grass reduce compound feed gradually. A small amount of corn or pellets can be given once a day in the evening.
  • A good supply of short grass should be available.
  • If penned do not keep in lots of more than 200 and move pens as necessary.
  • Swimming water may be allowed in early months but not during the finishing period.

Finishing

  • Allow 6-8 weeks to finish depending on condition.
  • Keep as quiet as possible, preferably with the same person attending to them.
  • Finish with ad-lib feed in a cattle yard or similar housing, or on a reduced grazing area.
  • Only natural daylight should be available when finishing.

Goslings

Geese love water, and goslings need a constant supply of it. Until your goslings are at least a week old, you should use a drinker that is only large enough for them to get their bills in. As the goslings age, you can introduce them to water slowly. Use a small pan and let them play in it for 10 minutes at a time.

Goslings are ready for feed and water when they arrive. Here at Freeway Poultry Ltd we use chick starter for the first week to 10 days. Layers Pellets can be used after this time. Keep feed and fresh water available to the birds at all times. Goslings do not take heat well, so be sure not to overheat them. They like a temperature of 30-35 degrees for the first 3 days, then 25-30  degrees for days 4 to 7approx. . … Once they leave the brooder, it is a good idea to give them a heat lamp at night for the first week or so, unless the weather is very hot.