OK, Now that I’ve done the deed, y’all can tell me if I’m nuts on a stick or if there’s some logic.
I bought 2 goslings this spring after careful research (“Buff geese are one of the quieter breeds … Don’t get buff geese if you like quiet.” The internet does not agree. You’ll see these two comments even on the same PAGE.)* They are in my pasture. M/F
They are quite noisy and about 6 months old now. Luckily most of my neighbors report they aren’t bothered (but I’m sure there are a few neighbors who haven’t weighed in because they ARE bothered, and don’t know how to say that.)
So I saw a pair of Tolouse geese for adoption from the animal shelter. (“Tolouse geese are generally docile and quiet… Be aware, tho, that Tolouse can be quite noisy!”) They are also a m/f pair, about 2 years old.
My logic was: the buff might be noisy because their flock is too small and they feel like they have to be on alert all the time. If I were to lose one goose out of two (because things go wrong in the animal world!) I’d have one very lonely goose left and that’s bad. So I adopted the other two. Now I have 4.
Time will eventually tell who teaches what to whom, but I was happily surprised that the Tolouse were quiet during pick up, transport, and their first night here. Confused, of course: the housing is different, the food is different, the people are different, and there are two other of their kind shouting at them across the fence. But I am hoping they remain quiet and help calm the younger Buff. There may be some fireworks between the two males when I integrate them, so I’m not sure how quickly that will happen. Right now, they just snakey-neck at each other and hiss while the females stand there looking unimpressed.
Anybody know geese? Was this a sensible idea, or have I just doubled my problem?
*ETA I just reviewed the surrender paperwork from SPCA, and the former owners noted that they were “shy/reserved” as well as “outgoing/friendly” and “playful/active”. So even the former owners can’t agree with themselves!! However, they did not check “talks a lot”, so that’s good.
