Have you ever seen a big beautiful goose and “I want one!” Well you’re not alone. Many people have wondered whether having a goose for a pet is a good idea.
Goose make great pets because of their nurturing spirit. Pet goose freely roam their environment and beautify the landscape. Pet goose also enjoy their time in large bodies of water for swimming and temperature regulation. The intriguing personality of a goose makes them an interesting pet to have.
If you’re considering having goose as pets then there’s much information that you should know. So keep reading to learn why goose are good pets.
Best Breeds of Goose as a Pet
- Pilgrim goose are medium sized birds with a docile personality. They may have a hardy demeanor but they are typically calm geese.
- Chinese goose are also a great breed of goose for pets. They are smaller birds that are super cute; yet they can be quite noisy due to their excessive quacking.
- Roman goose are the same size as Chinese geese, but there’s a difference. Roman geese are friendly birds that like attention and are less noisy than Chinese geese.
- One of the best breeds of goose as a pet is the Sebastopol goose. They are self-caring and very nurturing birds that enjoy socializing.
These medium sized birds prefer warm weather because of their excessive plumage. Sebastopol geese are very social birds and when unprovoked, have a calm and quiet demeanor.
How Much Does a Pet Goose Cost?
The cost of a goose depends on the breed of the goose, as well as the quality of the goose. The average cost of a pet goose ranges between $50 and $75 for utility breeder quality. Utility breed quality goose are typical birds that you can find treading water on a lake or pond. These breeds are more cost effective because they are untrained.
Show quality goose are great pets too and tend to cost $100 and $300. Why? Because they have been trained for showcases and have different sets of skills that utility quality birds do not.
Additionally, any equipment that is necessary for the goose – like feed or a body water – has an average cost of $200; so overall, the average cost of a pet goose is $250.
How Long Does a Pet Goose Live?
A pet goose can live 10 to 15 years, on average. The length of a goose’s life is based on their environment and their food. Goose need ample range for flight, as well as other provisions such as live insects, vegetation, and fresh water to drink and swim in.
Temperature regulation also plays a part in their duration of life. Though goose are warm blooded, cold temperatures are necessary for their body and webbed feet; and their feathers provide them amazing insulation and protection.
Goose are also mostly vegetarians and engage in plants and roots like leaves, grains, and stems, which is the healthy diet that helps them live longer. In some cases, a domesticated pet goose can live up to 20 years with proper diet and space.
What Does a Pet Goose Eat?
A pet goose has the capacity to eat mostly vegetation and small bugs. When it comes to vegetation, a pet goose is easy to feed because the majority of its diet will be grassy plants.
Some of these plants include aquatic plants, including seaweed and watercress; above the water, a pet goose can graze on grass, leaves, shrubs, flowers, and even some fruit like berries. Although it won’t be much, a pet goose can also engage in eating small bugs like beetles or even caterpillars.
We may think that bread is a great option for a pet goose, but it isn’t. Bread does not have enough nutritional value and can cause indigestion in their stomach and intestines. Leafy greens and a few bugs are great choices for a pet goose to eat.
What to Name Your Pet Goose?
If you’re looking to acquire a pet goose, you’ll want a cool name for it. Most goose names are generally an adjective that describes the demeanor and personality of the goose. Considerable names for your pet goose could be along the lines of Pickles, Buddy, or even Lucky.
You could name your pet goose after their characteristics like Fluffy, Nibbles, Mr. Quacksters, or Gus the Goose. Human names like Gwen, Heather, Johnny, and Boris are also popular amongst the pet goose because they can be relatable to their owners.
Other names from movies, like Featherbrain, Long John, or Stinky are a great way to name your pet goose. Pet goose names can be whatever you choose, as long as your goose responds to it and it makes them and you happy.
Will My Pet Goose Fly Away?
Generally, no your pet goose will not fly away. This is unlikely to happen because you are the primary giver to the goose. By providing food and water to them, they are more likely to stay on the grounds.
Also, domestic geese don’t get the opportunity to fly as often, so they aren’t very good at it. With a good tailwind, they can get off the ground and fly for about a quarter mile, but it won’t go much further than that. You should also know that geese are heavy birds, which can make flying away a challenge.
Many bird owners will also clip the wings of their avian pet as well; so if you truly want to secure your pet goose from flying away, this could be a viable option.
How Big is A Goose Egg?
A goose egg ranges between 3 and 5 inches in length, with a circumference of 6 to 7 inches in circumference. If you were to take the goose egg and lay it on its side, from the center, it will measure about 3 inches from bottom to top.
Additionally, the average goose egg can weigh 144 grams, or 5 ounces. The size of a goose egg can be compared to the combined weight and circumference of three chicken eggs, with the yolk being almost 50% of the entire egg. Goose eggs are also double the size of duck eggs.
Goose eggs are heavier and denser than other flight-capable birds. They are significantly big enough to be sold for a high price. Half a dozen goose eggs cost $60, on average, while a full dozen can cost between $90 and $120.
How Many Days for a Goose Egg to Hatch?
It takes 28 days for a goose egg to hatch. The full incubation period for goose eggs varies from breed to breed which could elongate or shorten the hatching process.
For larger breeds, the eggs tend to be thicker and bigger than the average goose egg. Thus, the incubation period for these eggs can be increased by three days, leading to a hatching period of up to 35 days.
For smaller breeds, the eggs are slightly smaller, meaning that the process is faster and shorter. With thinner eggs and a smaller yolk, these eggs can hatch in 28 days. Once the eggs begin to hatch, it can take up to three days for the process to be completed.
Is It Illegal to Have a Canadian Goose as a Pet?
Canadian Geese are protected by federal law and it is illegal to have one as a pet. Across many states, birds are protected animals under the law to keep certain species from going extinct.
To ensure the safety of Canadian Geese, the birds, their eggs and their nest is illegal to tamper with in the United States. The only entity that is capable of supplying influence to the federal law is the United States Fish and Wild Services (USFWS).
“Harassing” the goose or ducklings by running and chasing after them is allowed, as long as they are not physically harmed in any way. Penalties for housing or hurting a Canadian goose can result in fees or jail time.