Pilgrim Geese?

greenspun.com : LUSENET : Countryside : One Thread

We are planning to get a pair of goslings and are thinking of Pilgrims because the males are said to be more human-friendly, as well as good papas. Any experience with pilgrims? Are they good watch geese? Do they wander and need to be penned, or are they ok to let out on our property? Thanks!

-- seraphima (djones@kodiak.alaska.edu), April 18, 2001

Answers

I have had a pair of Pilgrims for about 3 years. The male just died this past winter. Don't know why. I have let my geese wander freely. I thought they would stay down by the swamp, but they prefer staying near the coop and the chickens. Yes, they do make noise, even when I go out to bring food to the chickens. They or she now, always calls the chickens to the food. They have never been mean to me, except when the female was nesting, the male got a little aggressive, but nothing too bad. My pair never did produce offspring, although she laid eggs every summer. I have a small water tank that she bathes in when I fill it with fresh water. I liked the pilgrims, but don't know what I am going to do with her now. They are hard to find around here, so not much chance of finding a same breed mate for her again.

-- R. (thor610@yahoo.com), April 18, 2001.

Our Pilgrims are pretty calm birds. This is our 3rd year with them. The males can get protective, especially during the breeding season but we've never had any of ours attack us. None of our Pilgrims have raised any goslings (we pull the eggs) however, when we put the goslings back outside they adopted them and watched out for them.

They do wander some as they are excellent foragers. But don't wander too far. We have a large yard though and none of our birds really wander out of the home area.

I wouldn't rank them the highest for watch geese but it depends on what you want for watch geese. If you want geese that have the potential to even drive predators away I'd go with Embdens. If you want geese that will tell you someone has come into the yard or if something is going on Chinese are a good bet. But Embdens can also be rather aggressive with people and Chinese are very talkative.

For a calm, personable breed I think Pilgrims are wonderful. Good luck.

-- Trisha-MN (tank@linkup.net), April 23, 2001.


I have been wanting to add Pilgrim geese to my homestead. So far have not been successful in locating any. Is there anyone in South Central Texas who may be willing to part with a few of these birds?

-- karin macaulay (kmacaulay@co.brazos.tx.us), May 09, 2001.

Moderation questions? read the FAQ