Holly's Homestead — Poultry
Geese
Anser anser domesticus · Dual-purpose/guard breed
DIFFICULTY Easy–moderate
TYPE Poultry, kept for meat and as guard animals
PRODUCTIVE LIFE Lays from 1 year, productive many years
TYPE Poultry, kept for meat and as guard animals
PRODUCTIVE LIFE Lays from 1 year, productive many years
Space
1m² shelter, large grazing area
Diet
Mostly grass/pasture + grain supplement
Water
Constant access, bathing water appreciated
Temperament
Alert, can be territorial
Lifespan
15–20+ years
01Grazers more than foragers
Geese get much of their diet from grazing pasture directly, more like a small ruminant than typical poultry — a decent grassed area matters more for geese than grain feed.
02Housing & setup
Shelter
Simple, weatherproof shelter; geese are very cold-hardy.
Fencing
Sturdy fencing — geese are strong and can push through weak sections.
Bedding
Straw, changed regularly.
03Daily care
- Provide access to good grazing pasture as the main feed source.
- Supplement with grain, especially over winter or before breeding season.
- Provide bathing water if possible — supports healthy feathers.
- Handle regularly from a young age if a calm, approachable adult is wanted.
04Health & problems
- Aggression toward people — more common than in ducks or chickens; regular handling helps.
- Overgrazing — geese can strip pasture bare; rotate grazing areas.
- Predator loss to goslings — young birds need secure housing.
- Parasites — worm periodically as part of routine care.
05Production & harvest
Yield
Meat birds typically processed at 10–20 weeks depending on breed and size target.
Eggs
Fewer, larger eggs than ducks — good for baking, not a high-volume layer.
Guard role
Geese are famously alert and vocal, useful as an early warning for the property.
Storage
Meat: fridge a few days, freezes well. Eggs: several weeks unwashed.
06Compatibility & considerations
Good with
Open pasture areasOrchards (light grazing, pest patrol)Avoid keeping with
Small children unfamiliar with geeseVery small enclosuresNote
Their territorial nature makes geese a genuinely useful low-cost alarm system around a homestead.