Geese breed guide
Goose breeds, pasture care, and how to manage breeding pairs and goslings.
History & origins
- European breeds descend from the greylag goose; Chinese and African breeds from the swan goose.
- Geese were the Roman farmyard's guard animal and remain the most grass-efficient poultry on a homestead.
Care & housing
- Geese are grazers — good pasture plus 16% all-flock supplement covers most of their diet.
- Simple three-sided shelter with deep straw is enough in most climates; they tolerate cold well.
- Provide water deep enough for head-dunking and, for breeders, deep enough to mate in.
Breeding tips
- Geese pair-bond and often mate for life; buy established pairs or trios rather than mixing adults.
- Incubate 28-32 days depending on breed, with daily cooling and misting from day 10.
- Ganders get territorial in spring — separate breeding pens and warn visitors.