Watchdog geese?

[AshleyFishy]

I had been debating getting an outside dog for awhile now but feel it is an unwise move. I've heard that geese can be pretty good at letting you know someone is in your driveway, yard etc. I've also heard that some breeds can be used for weeding a garden.

I'm interested in the white Chinese or Embden breeds. Anyone have person experience with either of these breeds?

 

[Southern by choice]

We have Brown Chinese and Toulouse Geese
THEY ARE LOUD! Yes they let you know when anything comes around. My friend has Embden geese hers are quiet, I do not know if that is normal or not though.

Our geese have surrounded vehicles that pulled up in the driveway and they would not let the people out of the van.

 

[bonbean01]

We have friends down the road whose geese also surround our vehicle and I won't get out until one of them comes out and shooshes them away...no clue what kind they are...just that they are all white and huge!

 

[animalmom]

We have Embden and they are loud. They honk and hiss and carry on over ANYTHING they see, think they see, hope to see, want to see or flat out just imagine. Did I mention they are loud? We keep ours in a pen and only let them out when the DH is outside with them so he can herd them back to the pen.

Beautiful, large birds who have absolutely no appreciation for anything you do for them. They are a hoot, and a hiss, and lots of squawks.

They love to come out and eat the grass so I wouldn't be surprised that the weeder geese are real good at leaving your wanted plants alone and getting rid of anything else.

 

[peachick]

My Sebastopols free range they are good watch dogs .... but non aggressive, unlike a lot of geese.

 

[Southern by choice]

We have Embden and they are loud. They honk and hiss and carry on over ANYTHING they see, think they see, hope to see, want to see or flat out just imagine. Did I mention they are loud? We keep ours in a pen and only let them out when the DH is outside with them so he can herd them back to the pen.

Beautiful, large birds who have absolutely no appreciation for anything you do for them. They are a hoot, and a hiss, and lots of squawks.

They love to come out and eat the grass so I wouldn't be surprised that the weeder geese are real good at leaving your wanted plants alone and getting rid of anything else.

Mine along with the ducks eat all my hostas.
They also drill holes... everywhere.
Ours are free range and they really do live off the land... winter and we will throw a few handfuls of feed and scratch mixed. They are easy keepers and lay delicious eggs.

 

[Petty]

We have friends down the road whose geese also surround our vehicle and I won't get out until one of them comes out and shooshes them away...no clue what kind they are...just that they are all white and huge!

You mean they attack people?

 

[Lizjax]

We're going to get a goose to watch over the flock but should we go with a male or female?

 

[Goat Whisperer]

I would get 2-3.
At least 2.

They are social creatures and do best with another goose. You will want to socialize them and hand raise them if you get goslings. Geese are very neat animals, I have raised up many and if you spend time with them, they will bond with you also.
Just make sure any doors leading into your house are closed
They also live a long time, 20-25 years if taken car of properly. This is why it's important to have a buddy.
I would get a M/F pair, or 2F and a male. The Brown Chinese are great alert geese!

 

[Lizjax]

Ok I would like to get gosslings as some of our dogs will be out in the same yard with them often and I don't want them get after the dogs. How often do female geese lay eggs?