AN INTRODUCTION TO GEESE

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by Guy Alks (and MOHTER's staff)

A good many rural folk—who successfully and happily keep chickens, goats, and such—wonder why anyone would put up with geese. And this is certainly a legitimate point of view for those individuals whose only experience with the temperamental waterfowl has involved facing an angry mob of them, snaky necks outstretched and beaks ready for action! Having had such an experience might well make you (or anyone else) balk at the notion of raising these seemingly irrational, sassy birds. You may be surprised to learn, though, that geese if managed kindly and well make terrific homestead companions.

Granted, these creatures are typically quite sensitive, and they tend to fly off the handle every now and then (especially when they feel that they or their young are being threatened), but on those occasions they make lots of noise . . . and can thus function as very effective watch birds. Furthermore, geese are meticulous lawn mowers (they're able to graze in hard-to-get-to places such as fencerows, ditches, and marshy areas) . . . voracious weeders (they'll gobble up crabgrass and many other undesirables that most other livestock refuse to touch) . . . and efficient pond cleaners (they can be used to help control unattractive surface algae and the like). Plus, their down and feathers can be used as stuffing for comforters, clothing, pillows, and so forth, and their succulent meat can serve as a hard-to-surpass main course favorite for holiday feasts.

CHOOSING THE RIGHTBREED FORYOU

People who are unfamiliar with the critters tend to think that geese are all pretty much the same, except that some are white and others are gray. Actually, though, the large fowl come in a wide assortment of shades and sizes, and each breed has its own distinctive characteristics. So if you're considering becoming a gooseherd, you might want to spend some time getting acquainted with the various breeds in order to determine which variety best suits your particular needs and locale. And, to help you get started, here are a few descriptions of some of the most popular light, medium, and heavyweight breeds as well as a couple of the ornamental varieties to tease your fancy. (See the editor's note for additional sources of information.)