[Hillview Farm]

Looking at getting some geese as seen in my other post. What is the best breed?

I'm looking for something non aggressive towards people but will fend off any unwanted visitors (Fox's) I am fully aware that no animal is safe from a fox.

They will be housed at night

Thanks

[Beeducked]

I don't know the answer but having asked myself the same question I picked Brecon Buffs. Beautiful (obviously in the eye of the beholder), native breed and been recognised as endangered, reputation for being placid, medium sized breed but will still need fox protection.


Got eggs in the incubator (although known to be a bit temperamental to hatch) so certainly no expert! Keeping my fingers crossed for goslings in about a fortnight.


Pilgrims were the next on the list for many of the same reasons but the BB pipped them to the post just on looks! Fickle I know!

[zarzar]

Hi we have 8 ebdems they roam during day with our ewes,lambs and mare and foal think most breeds can get aggressive around brreding season but if you buy youngish birds they get used to you being the one feeding them, we havent touch wood had any fox attacks yet so  that we dont as our old place we was always under attack.

[HesterF]

I've got West of England geese which are beautiful, auto sexing and mine are very friendly. The gander did get more aggressive through the breeding season but is back to his happy self now (suspect that means the laying season is over  ). I imagine that most geese are friendly if hand reared in small numbers - mine were certainly very used to people and now follow me round the garden like dogs (which is annoying when I'm trying to dig a hole and all I can see is fluffy bottoms trying to grab the worms).

I don't imagine they're very fox proof but the gander would certainly give it a go. He has the cats terrified as they shoot past, keeping their distance. He also stands at the fence hissing at dogs walking past.

Only downside is that it's very hard to get hold of genuine stock. I've just organised to get a second pair and it's going to involve a five hour drive (well ten hours in total) and that's for this year's hatch.

H

[graham-j]

Hi,I have 16 embdens and they are OK with me they his a bit but nothing to aggressive.But if some one else comes along even OH they go absolutely mad.
I have one buff American and she is a loverly placid goose but I don't know if that because she is the only one of her kind.

Graham.

[Pasture Farm]

We have an american buff which as you say is a lovely placid goose...two emdens which again are fine...and what i think is a west of england gander which i'd quite happily rehome

[Victorian Farmer]

More small holders need to breed rare breed iv got pilgrims and i would love some West of England size sexing etc just fantastic geese as hester f as said hard to get  .My hatch sunday its worth all the trouble /